Issue 1410 Monday 19 October courieronline.co.uk
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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS
Nobel Peace Prize Winner for literature Louise Glück, Bernadine Evaristo and drag culture...
Cineworld closure and The Lion King sequel
Film | pages 26-27
Politicians with coronavirus: Should we be sympathetic?
Arts | pages 28-29
Comment | page 9
UCU’s ultimatum with the University UCU threaten industrial action if failure to reach resolution is found Lucy Adams
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— News sub-editor
he Newcastle University branch of the University and College Union (UCU) has declared a formal failure to agree with the University. The branch also passed a motion to potentially ballot for indefinite industrial action and indefinite action short of a strike. The events took place at an Extraor-
dinary General Metting (EGM) held on Wednesday, and were relayed via the UCU Twitter account. The meeting had the highest attendance of any Newcastle University UCU meeting so far, with almost 300 members present. Both motions were passed with a high majority in favour. The UCU branch said the formal failure to agree with the University came from Newcastle’s “inadequate engagement with the union” over health and safety.
If a resolution is not reached by 5pm Monday members will ballot immediately
Consequently, the union set a deadline of 5pm on Monday 19 October for the University to address concerns. If the union do not receive a resolution on their health and safety concerns by 5pm, members will begin balloting for industrial action “immediately and without delay”. To prevent potential industrial action, the union say the University must provide resolution over: • Failure to default to online for all learning – except where essential – for the remainder of the year or until the UCU’s five safety requirements are met • Failure to share data with the UCU relating to outbreaks and case numbers at the University in a timely manner • Failure to complete satisfactory risk assessments for all buildings
Image: UCU industrial action taking place last year, Source: @NewcastleUniUCU on Twitter
where essential Present in Person (PiP) teaching will be carried out, and share it with UCU-appointed health and safety representatives • Failure to review the risk assessment for working at home • Failure to allow time off for UCUnominated health and safety representatives to carry out health and safety duties Newcastle UCU’s Vice Chair Matt Perry spoke to The Courier about unease amongst staff over returning to a PiP teaching model. He explained that “[Members] are really genuinely frightened” and argued that this anxiety was reflected in the unprecedented number who attended the emergency meeting. He explained that many staff members are more vulnerable because of their age or concerned for vulnerable family members and yet “a number feel that they are being coerced onto campus.” When the organisation requested risk assessments “lots of [them] arrived late” or arrived to staff within days of them being required to teach in the building. “When we’re asked by our members ‘Is the campus safe?’, we’re not even in a position to say.” “The University is being extremely evasive about the rights that trade union health and safety reps have.” He said that ‘COVID-safe’ and ‘COVID-secure’, which are repeatedly used to refer to campus, are “complacent phrases… the virus doesn’t respect that.” With teaching yet to begin and the campus desolate, Perry said it is far more difficult to gauge students’ views on the UCU stance than it was with previous strikes. “I’d like to see UCU and the Students’ Union organise some joint events so that we can put our case and find areas of common agreement that we can campaign over.” The Vice Chair was confident that an equally valuable learning experience can be delivered remotely. He criticised ‘blended’ learning that was achieved through reducing seminar capacity, saying “You double up the teaching you have to do and then you have to cater for the people who can’t make it into the room.” “I think about my own teaching practice and what I can do on Zoom is so
much more effective than a ‘masked ball’.” He added that there is “absolutely no question about the quality of the online resources that I provide.” “I find it professionally insulting [that the University considers them inferior].” When asked about the likelihood of indefinite industrial action, he replied: “No one’s striking yet!” “There’s a timeframe in which the differences could easily be resolved.” In an email sent to all staff members, Vice-Chancellor Chris Day said “I know from talking to our Student Union Officers and listening to our students on campus and in their accommodation how much they value academic engagement, both online and present-in-person with peers” He also noted the importance of “the physical services that are available oncampus, such as study spaces and library facilities.” “I believe we owe it to them to offer this present-in-person teaching if at all possible.” A Newcastle University spokesperson said: “Over the past few months, colleagues from across the University have been working tirelessly and effectively to prepare our campus for the safe return of students. “The Trade Union representatives – and NUSU – have been an important part of this planning through their role on the Emergency Management Team, as well as through weekly meetings with the Vice-Chancellor, other members of the senior management and our Health and Safety teams. “Our teams are working hard alongside the Trade Unions to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and staff. Risk assessments have been drafted, consulted upon and implemented well in advance of the start of teaching. Further updates in line with Government guidance are being made as and when required. Throughout this process, we have consulted with Trade Unions and continue to do so. “Every decision we have made over the past six months has been made with the health, safety and wellbeing of our whole University community at the very front of our mind.”
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Inside 19th October 2020 Current Affairs | News N.E.S.T shortlisted for Charity of the Year Student-run program providing opportunities for refugees is a finalist in international award. Page 5
Monday 19 October 2020 THE
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Safety measure breaches Over 500 breaches of the COVID-19 restrictions were recorded in the first two weeks of October. Alex Gervas reports. Page 4
Current Affairs | Campus Comment Students vs. the state A dissection of the government response to coronavirus, and whether or not it's fair to blame students on the uptick of student cases. Page 7
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Blind date! The first Blind Date of the year kicks off online with Georgia and Alex's Zoom romance. Page 15
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Ella Williams -- editor.union@newcastle.ac.uk
Senior editor: Ellie James -- e.james6@ncl.ac.uk
Life & Style | Travel
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The ultimate guide to a staycation A look at the best places to visit in the UK, from Digital and Design Boatfield the Lake District to Edinburgh and from Cardiff George -- g.boatfield@ncl.ac.uk to Belfast. Page 18
Culture | Music Will Farquarson interview Finlay Holden talks to the bassist for Britpop chart-topper Bastille. Page 22 Joji review A look at the Japanese-born New York artist's sophomore album. Page 23
Sport Schumacher vs Hamilton Lucy Rimmer weighs in on the debate over the greatest F1 driver of all time. Page 40
Current Affairs Senior editor: Joe Molander -- j.molander@ncl.ac.uk
News -- courier.news@ncl.ac.uk Alex Gervas Ella Mcaffrey Elsa Tarring Lucy Adams Kate Lovell Alex Downing
Comment -- courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk Muslim Taseer Lorcan Flahive Tom Leach
Science -- c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Lily Holbrook Lizzie Meade
Food --courier.food@ncl.ac.uk Cayla Viner Em Richardson
Relationships Lily Abery Phoebe Eyles
Lifestyle -- c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk Meg Howe Victoria Osho Yasmine Bridge
Beauty -- c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Margarita Ivanova Chloe Buchan
Travel -- courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Patrick Young Louise Cusine
Culture Senior Editors: Alex Darbyshire -- a.darbyshire@ncl.ac.uk Amy Brown -- a.brown16@ncl.ac.uk
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-- c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Dom Lee Finlay Holden Joe Smith
TV -- c2.TV@ncl.ac.uk Sophie Hicks George Bell
Film -- c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Peter Lennon Geordie Rivett-Carnac Hattie Metcalfe
Arts -- c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Peter Bath Maud Webster Evie Lake
Gaming -- courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Kaitlyn Maracle Jack Wallace-Hunter Shawn Khoo
Puzzles Joeseph Caddick
Sport -- courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Senior Editor: Tom Moorcroft -- t.bmoorcroft@ncl.ac.uk Sam Slater Elana Shapiro
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Monday 19 October 2020
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Universities face student "mental health crisis"
Freshers' mental health is at risk due to isolation, and students' fears over their physical safety Elsa Tarring
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— News sub-editor
ncreased coronavirus restrictions contribute to young people not getting the support they need at UK universities, warn government advisors and the Labour Party. The Independent SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), the government’s adviser body, released a statement in late September, responding to the way UK universities have handled the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement outlines that there is “an urgent need… to act quickly and pragmatically” . In order to prevent further spread of the virus and protect the wellbeing of students and staff, Independent SAGE stressed that universities follow five key safety points: • Transfer all teaching online by default, as Newcastle University has recently implemented. • Regularly test students and staff. • Offer students the choice to live on campus or at home. • Allow those who decide to remain at university the chance to return home at any point, with accommodation fees refunded. • Ensure full support to students and staff that are self-isolating.
Labour’s Shadow Mental Health Minister, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, warned that a failure to act now “could create a mental health crisis for thousands of young people”. Research conducted by the Labour Party found that one in four universities had cut or frozen their budgets for supporting student mental health in 2019. A Newcastle University fresher, who asked to remain anonymous,said: “The first week [of self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19] was very difficult.” They described how, as a “sociable person”, they struggled cope with being confined to their university flat. They continued by saying: “I’m really feeling the pressure to get on with [my flatmates] because we’re having to isolate together. It’s not like [the] years before us where if you didn’t get along with your flat you could just do your own thing.” A Northumbria University first year student, currently living at home after having moved out of her halls within three weeks of moving in, told The Courier: “[I am] currently back with my parents because it feels safer”. Before the threat of coronavirus, the number of cases of anxiety, mental breakdowns and depression was continually increasing. In 2019, 82 000 students said they had a mental health condition, more than twice as high as in 2015. Experts believe these figures will only increase during the pandemic, with young people and women being most affected. To tackle this rise in cases, a spokesperson for Newcastle
University outlined new sources of support for students this year.
"I’m really feeling the pressure to get on with [my flatmates]" “We have launched a new 24/7 professionally monitored mental health support network, Talk Campus, where students can talk to
Newcastle nightlife on the brink
I
Scarlett Welch
t’s no secret that Newcastle students are missing a night out at the moment. With a 10pm curfew, a ban on socialising with people outside your household and a six person limit, Newcastle’s famous nightlife has taken a real hit. So, how are these businesses staying afloat? The short answer is not all of them are. Wylam Brewery in Exhibition Park is one of the latest venues to close in Newcastle. In their announcement they stated that they have suffered an 84% loss in trade from pre-COVID levels. This example proves that many businesses just aren’t viable under the new restrictions. The absence of a Freshers Week has also been a hit for local businesses. What is normally a huge moneymaker for the city’s bars and clubs has been an incredibly toned-down start
of this year. Events such as the famous ‘Loosecrawl’ and the ‘Neon UV Rave’, two of Fatsoma’s biggest events, had to be cancelled.
Businesses claim the industry has been unfairly targeted These events, usually attended by thousands of students, are undoubtedly a huge loss for participating venues. Other events, such as Digital’s yearly freshers event, had to take place seated and in groups of six, meaning that they couldn’t pack in anywhere near their usual number of students. Many businesses are speaking out against the restrictions, particularly the 10pm curfew, claiming that the hospitality industry has been ‘unfairly
Image: Instagram (@Horticulturncl)
targeted’. The bar and restaurant Horticulture, alongside other 50 pub owners in the North East, has publicly supported the ‘cancel the curfew’ movement by signing an open letter to the Government that had over 1 000 total signatures. The owner of Horticulture, Mike Hesketh, told The Chronicle: “What we don't want people to think is that we don't care about the pandemic - we just feel that there is no proof that the spread is linked to Covid-safe venues.” In an anonymous survey done by The Courier, Newcastle University students expressed their opinions on the safety guidelines. One of the answers read: “Shutting pubs at 10pm makes no sense and doesn't feel any safer.” “People are still drinking just as much with just as many people, they're just going out a few hours earlier than they normally would.” Despite all this, lots of venues are finding many different ways to adapt to new regulations. Some bars, such as Lady Grey’s, are offering take-out drinks after 10pm so that customers can continue consuming their products later at night. Others are adapting their outdoor areas to be viable into the winter such as Market Shaker with its new rain-proof tent. Many venues are also opening earlier in the day to combat the earlier closing time, but can these adjustments really make up for capacities reduced by more than half and doors closing 5 hours earlier in some venues? It’s unlikely. Whilst Newcastle’s vibrant nightlife is finding ways to live on, it’s clear that it’s just about surviving rather than thriving.
others around the world if they are struggling and worried about their mental health”. They explained how they are working to adapt to the difficulties coronavirus has presented: “Our orientation events have been held online, so any student anywhere, including those who are isolating, can access them”. Mind the Gap society at Newcastle University also urges students to get in touch if they are struggling. It is running weekly peer support sessions,
socials to meet new people and has created student lockdown packs containing resources and activities to keep students busy during selfisolation. They recognise the severity of the situation on young people, saying “we are really concerned and understand that mental health is going to be overall negatively impacted by the pandemic and we want to do all we can to help”. Image: Newcastle Unversity Press Office
Newcastle culture venues receive government funding Dom Lee
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— Music sub-editor
umerous cultural venues across the North East have recently been allocated funding through a government grant. 58 venues in the region have benefited from the Culture Recovery Fund, including Northern Stage, an independent theatre and charity located on Newcastle University’s campus. Over £10 million was handed out to the first recipients of the fund on Monday 12 October, which will be key to keeping many of the venues open and able to potentially reopen next year.
58 venues in the region have benefited from the Culture Recovery Fund Music sub-editor from The Courier Joe Smith said: "Giving money to venues means they don’t have to worry about losing customers who don’t want to come in during the pandemic." "It means they can keep their doors open at least that little bit longer til gigs can properly take place again." Northern Stage have been awarded £400 000 and have made a number of commitments about what they are going to do with the money.
The theatre has committed to expanding their digital offerings, modifying their box office, creating a covid-secure backstage area and installing a new café bar. Despite the commitment made to venues in the North East, there is a considerable disparity when comparing the region to the rest of the UK.
"It means they can keep their doors open and last that little bit longer" The North East received the least amount of funding and number of awards of any area in the UK. However, there may be more venues in the region to receive funding soon, as the next round of recipients is set to be announced in the upcoming weeks. Joe Smith added: "I think the government is very biased against the North and probably didn’t research just how big and important the gigging scene is up here." The Cluny, an independent music venue located in Ouseburn received £67 000 from the fund. The money will cover the running costs for the venue and allow for them to reopen next year. The venue is set to begin hosting shows again in November at Cluny 22, with the main venue hosting its first event in December.
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Monday 19 October 2020
News
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500 reported safety measure breaches in Newcastle over 14 days Police advise to follow guidelines after over 500 breaches were reported
a "significant increase" in patrols and repercussions for those not following local lockdown rules. In late September, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities announced funding for more police patrols of
neighbourhoods with a higher student population. Chief Superintendent Noble stressed the importance of engaging, “explaining, and encouraging our public to comply with the regulations and the
guidance.” He condemned the breaches and emphasised the importance of following the rules. In response to the actions announced by the police, Newcastle University Vice Chancellor Chris Day said: “[The
Image: Twitter (@Northumbriapol)
Alex Gervas
— News sub-editor
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ver 500 breaches of COVID-19 guidelines were reported during the first two weeks of October. Later, on 12 October, the Government announced new safety measures to control the spread of the virus. These reports led to 156 fines, including two £1 000 fines to two women who weren’t quarantining according to the laws in place, as reported by Northumbria Police. In the first 48 hours of October, the police had made four arrests and issued 137 fines. Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Ged Noble mentioned
students] are not lone wolves out there doing what they like, which is the impression that I am getting from some of our students,” as reported by The Chronicle. Day also expressed concern for the behaviour with which the marshals were treating students, by “bursting in” on them. In an anonymous survey conducted by The Courier, students expressed their opinion on safety measures. Some of the responses expressed frustration with guidelines being too complicated or poorly explained. One of the answers described the measures as “house arrest” saying: “[The measures are] pointless and based upon no evidence. End house arrest and let us live without fear.” Another student said “Necessary or not, they’ve alienated [the] government and the state from the sensibilities of millions of otherwise common-sense abiding individuals. Never before have so many people looked upon a police officer with such avoidance and contempt.”
Boris Johnson announces £1m budget set to tackle rising youth unemployment ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ Image: Wikimedia
George Boatfield
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— Head of Digital and Design
oris Johnson announced the launch of the ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ during his visit to Exeter College on 29 September. The “massively accelerated” changes in the economy - one of the many impacts of COVID-19 - have stimulated the development of the scheme. Bringing in dramatic changes to the financing of post-18 education, the policy will ensure that every adult without A-levels has access to the funding they require in order to take up a course at college. This specifically covers entry onto courses that teach “skills that are highly in demand”. This has previously been available for those under the age of 23, where course fees do not apply. This change will remove the cap and make further
education accessible to all ages, reducing what Johnson described as a “pointless, nonsensical gulf ” in funding opportunities between university and vocational courses. In addition to the dropping of the age restriction, loans will be made available to cover additional costs. This will take place in much the same way that university students have access to tuition fee and maintenance loans which cover course and living costs respectively. While much of the ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ is funded by the £2.5bn national skills fund announced in Rishi Sunak’s March budget, the full details of how this is allocated will be set out in the autumn spending review. On the importance of vocational training, Johnson emphasised that “we need those practical skills as a society and as an economy, now more than ever”.
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orth of Tyne has created a £1 million budget to help tackle youth unemployment. The budget was created after a spike in unemployment amonsgt young people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newcastle unemployment levels are one of the highest in the country, with the North East at 5.2% compared to the 4.1% national average. The £1 million will be split between the Government's Kickstart scheme and Youth Hubs across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland to help young people find jobs. The £500 000 kickstart scheme will provide funding to employers so they can create six month job placements for 16-24 years olds on universal credit. This will increase employment opportunities for participants. At present, employers who can offer 30 or more placements can apply directly to the Department for Work and Pension for Kickstart funding.
Smaller businesses and charities, on the other hand, must apply through an intermediary. The North of Tyne Combined Authority will bring smaller employers into the new national Kickstart scheme. Additionally, £400 000 will be spent on Youth Hubs across the region to help young people find jobs and training. In partnership with the Combined Authority, Jobcentre Plus will create virtual and physical Youth Hubs across the North Tyne region to help young people engage with and gain access to Kickstart, apprenticeships, traineeships and other work schemes across the region. Tackling unemployment and increasing employment prospects across the region is a core part of the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s mission. “Young people have borne the brunt of past recessions. We will do everything we can to help them find paid work and protect them from the coming economic storm," says North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll.
and study." Newcastle University's contribution is focused on innovation. The University's Urban Observatory has tracked footfall within the city as England was gradually released from lockdown, enabling the city to reopen safely. The Northern Accelerator and Arrow programmes, which facilitate co-operation between university research and local businesses, have received increased funding during
this period. The University also created the online discursive space "Wor Culture" to allow the concerns of individuals in the arts sector to inform policy. The Group has published an economic response summary report that has outlined the strategies for long-term recovery: • Support new and existing businesses to innovate and grow, endeavouring to construct a more durable and inclusive economy. • Aid the reskilling and upskilling of the current workforce by identifying the future skill needs, improving the overall sustainability of the workforce. • Contribute to high level research initiatives that will attain necessary data to support scenario planning, problem solving and policy making. • Act as ‘anchor institutions’ by employing local people, supporting local supply chains, attracting and retaining educational talent and contributing to the vibrancy, culture and wider well-being of the region.
Lucy Nelson
North East unis support post-COVID economic recovery Local universities are working to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19
Image: Fuse
Alicia Curry
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ocal universities are collaborating with regional authorities to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 on the local community. The reduction of the economic impact will be achieved by strengthening the resilience of businesses and supporting the agility of the current and future workforces. Newcastle University, Durham University, Northumbria University, University of Sunderland and Teesside University are active members of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group. The Group was formed with local
organisations, including the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the North East and North of Tyne Combined Authorities and the North East Joint Transport Committee. Jane Robinson, Dean of Engagement and Place at Newcastle University, represents the region’s four universities in the Group. She explained the group's founding principles to The Courier: "[The coronavirus pandemic] has
affected our health, our economy, and society more widely; exacerbating existing inequalities." "As a University, we are deeply rooted in our local communities, committed to social justice and doing all we can to bring our research and expertise together with partners to re-imagine and deliver on a future that offers opportunity for all, in a region which acts as magnet for people to live, work
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Monday 19 October 2020
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N.E.S.T finalist at Third Sector Awards Lucy Adams
— News sub-editor
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he University's own North East Solidarity and Teaching (N.E.S.T) were shortlisted for the Charity of the Year award earlier this month. The award recognises an organisation “that has had a truly exceptional year and whose recent achievements have attracted the admiration of the sector.” The charity outperformed internationally-renowned Refugee Action to achieve finalist status with the British Red Cross. N.E.S.T is a student-run programme that provides asylum seekers and refugees with a range of opportunities to connect whilst improving their English. Four years on from their initial eight-person English lesson in Newcastle’s Students’ Union, N.E.S.T is now home to 600 learners of all ages as well as hundreds of volunteers. An important part of N.E.S.T’s achievement this year was their adaptation to the coronavirus crisis. Asylum seekers are given £7.55 per day to live on and have been acutely impacted by the pandemic; many charities that provide vital financial, educational and social support have permanently closed. N.E.S.T ensured learners were able to continue accessing support by holding classes on Zoom as well as delivering toys, clothes, sanitary products and translated newsletters to learners’ homes. Learners with limited access to Wi-Fi or devices receive
regular “wellbeing calls” and a penpal scheme is also in place. Virtual recreational sessions included games nights, challenges, bedtime stories and home workouts. These were held multiple times a week alongside increased childrens’ activities in the absence of school and N.E.S.T’s creche services. Volunteer Angie Tjahjadi has had to adapt her twice-weekly English lessons, which now take place on Zoom, and says that “keeping the class interactive is a bit more challenging.” As rumours of a lockdown began to circulate she hurriedly worked with another learner to scan the books they used in class in order to create makeshift booklets for learners to take home from their last lesson.
could break their fast together instead of alone.” “We can’t change the whole world, but we can change the worlds of people around us. I feel lucky and honoured that I’ve had N.E.S.T throughout lockdown to continue doing what I can for the people that I can support during this time.”
N.E.S.T has seen a high intake of learners and volunteers since March. In response to recent surveys, 100% of learners reported that they were better able to communicate in English as a result of attending. All learners also said they felt happier because of N.E.S.T. A spokesperson for the organisation
commented: “This makes us very proud”, adding “We hope to return to in-person sessions as soon as it is safe to do so and reunite our family!” N.E.S.T are currently working on a new project to support refugee children in schools. Image: Wikimedia
Asylum seekers are given £7.55 per day to live on and have been acutely impacted by the pandemic “It was the highlight of my week to go in every Saturday and Sunday and see them all walk in through the door, all smiles and ready to learn. It’s not the same online – how could it be? – but there is still a sense of community.” Tjahjadi spoke of unwavering friendships between volunteers throughout lockdown: “During Ramadan we hosted online Iftar gettogethers for those who were stuck in the UK without their family so they
Newcastle ranks 23rd on Black History Matters: interview Global Smart City Index with key lecturer Dr. Keith Magee The Smart City Index assesses how cities use smart technology to improve people's lives
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Maud Webster
anked 23rd in the world on the Global Smart City Index, Newcastle was only one of four UK cities to make it into the top 100, alongside London, Birmingham and Manchester. The ranking is based on interviews with citizens of the cities and economic and technological data across five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities and governance.
"I couldn’t be more proud of Newcastle joining more than 100 cities worldwide" The addition of Newcastle to the Smart City list is largely attributed to the impact of two relatively new research centres in the city: the National Innovation Centre for Data and the Urban Observatory. Located in Newcastle University’s Helix complex, the centres have helped to propel Newcastle’s status
as a smart city to the forefront of the world. Work undertaken by these centres include research into Newcastle’s COVID-19 response.
Only four UK cities made it into the top 100 in the world To help with the demands of social distancing, the Urban Observatory used real-time data to construct a system which monitors the ability to socially distance in Newcastle’s city centre. This information is then communicated to the general public through the website, www.howbusyistoon.com. Leader of Newcastle City Council, Nick Forbes, celebrates Newcastle’s achievement. Forbes said: “I couldn’t be prouder that Newcastle has joined more than 100 cities from across the world on this highly regarded global index. It is testament to how far this city has come in the last few years in becoming an internationally recognised smart city.” “What makes this special is that it is based on feedback and perceptions from the people who live and work in our city, highlighting the difference data is making to their lives.” Newcastle City Council have welcomed news that the city's economy will benefit from a smart city status, and help attract business to the urban area.
Katherine Lovell
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— News sub-editor
atherine Lovell interviews Dr Keith Magee, visiting professor of Social Justice from UCL about the main event for this year’s Black History Month. He will deliver a lecture on 20 October about Britain’s association with slavery. What is the importance of Black History Month for you and the university? I’m not necessarily a proponent of Black History Month as it is now, because I believe we should always embrace history across ethnicities, and support this in universities. However, meanwhile it’s important to have a specific time to acknowledge black students and staff. The role of a university is not to create activists per se, but to activate minds that can decide where to be active. Have planned events for this month been disrupted by the pandemic? Yes. I certainly would have loved to be there personally to give the talk, rather than doing it online. A year ago, we planned a conversation here in London on black Britain and its meaning. We had an entire two-day event planned, but this time of celebration has now become a six hour online virtual event. So, things are different. But we’re learning how to manage that. What made you choose the title ‘A Bitter
Sweet Journey: from slavery to freedom and beyond the colour line’ for your lecture?
It comes from reconciling the fact that the wealth of the British empire came from slavery. I will be reflecting on the past as we’re living in the present in order to think differently about a future. This makes the idea of erasing history very jarring for me. Rather than removing statues of white imperialists, wouldn’t it be better to leave the statue there and perhaps cause it to interface with another statue of a slave? I’m afraid that if we erase these historical figures without having a narrative to them, some people will not be healed. How does your faith influence the way you have reacted to these protests? I believe the most fundamental message of Christianity is love. Jesus’s greatest commandment was to love God with all your heart, mind and soul. If I am to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus, I may wrestle with questions of hate and oppression, but in the end, I must come back to love. How would you recommend students of all ethnicities make the most of this month to educate themselves on Black History? This is a moment to pause, to celebrate otherness and to learn something new. To understand that our humanity is what leads and guides us. What excites me about Newcastle is the deep, rich
history that it has of abolitionists. A critical city in raising funds to help Frederick Douglass obtain his freedom, many other racial campaigners have also interacted with it. So, this is a moment to tell the world that Newcastle has been a part of this narrative since there was a narrative. What do you think is the single most important lesson we can learn from the abolitionists? The abolitionists had a faith that said liberty and justice is a human right. This belief was important in going from changing the law to how we can use this to bring about long-term change. What are we trying to abolish? How do we focus on being united? Image: Arron Dunworth
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Monday 19 October 2020
News
'Whey Aye' wheel delayed until 2024 Construction of the 'Whey Aye' wheel delayed for the second time
Lilla Marshall
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he World Wheel Company announced the delay in the construction of the ‘Giants on the Quayside’ project. The opening is planned for spring 2024 instead of the initial 2023 target. Giants on the Quayside is a £100 million project being constructed on the old Spillers flourmill site on the Quayside. The site will feature 15 bars and restaurants, a 12 metre tall statue dubbed ‘The Geordie Giant', a virtual golf club and the main attraction, Europe's tallest observation wheel, aptly named ‘The Whey Aye’. Initially, construction was to begin during summer of 2020. However, this was pushed back to the end of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to delay the construction to the spring of 2021 comes after coronavirus cases surged in the North East. The Newcastle chief executive of the World Wheel Company Phil Lynagh told The Chronicle “It is critical that we begin the project at the right time and that is why it is essential for us to move the start on site date.” He, however, remains confident that the project will go ahead and claims the £100 million venue will provide 800 new jobs for the city and 698 000 tourists per year, providing a huge boost to the local economy. This project has been controversial, with critics concerned about the impact on the Quayside views. Many worry about the effects this attraction will have on local transport and road networks. There remains uncertainty surrounding the effects of coronavirus on the tourism industry and what impact it may have on this construction.
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Nearly 3 000 people attend the fourth Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival Northumbrian Water Group celebrate their first ever online Innovation Festival
Alex Gervas
— News sub-editor
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orthumbrian Water Group has celebrated its fourth annual Innovation Festival, which began on 14 September and ran over four days. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the group held its first ever onlinefocused festival, with it all taking place around a central theme: ‘Built Back Better’. The event featured several activities and workshops, all of which encouraged participants to find the best ways in which our “world can adapt and recover in response to the virus.” Angela MacOscar, Northumbrian Water’s Head of Innovation, issued a statement saying: “Given that the need for innovation is even greater now than ever, and that the change brought to all of our lives by COVID-19 could be used as a catalyst to make things happen, we took the brave decision to go digital and hold our first ever, online Innovation Festival.” As was the case with every other year, the festival tried to bring ideas and push projects that could help solve some of the most pressing environmental and societal issues. This year the events featured nearly 3 000 attendees from 37 countries. Together, they came up with more than 4 000 ideas from which the event highlighted 100 BIG ideas including: two business models, nine digital solutions, six apps, 10 devices and 11 campaigns.
MacOscar stated “The sheer volume of work accomplished across the week was absolutely incredible. It just goes to show what’s possible when you put the right people in a virtual ‘tent’ with the time to really think about a challenge.” For the duration of the festival, the events registered 388 training hours, 206 Zoom meetings, four and half years worth of work and 22 895 website views. All the work was accomplished through four day ‘Design Sprints’, Daily Dash (a one day sprint), Data Hacks and Years Worth of Work in a Week (YWIW). The ‘Design Sprints’ consist of developing a five stage plan during the course of four to five days. This year these events included projects like Save the World in collaboration with CGI. This event focused on coming up with ways in which to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in
the North East. Additionally, the YWIW focused on “accelerating delivery of an idea or initiative” this year, in collaboration with Newcastle University and others. The project consists of studying methods of making cleaner alternatives to gas and electricity more accessible to low income households.
The sheer volume of work accomplished across the week was absolutely incredible A spokesperson from Newcastle University said “Work is now taking place to take forward some of the ideas that came out of this process. This includes considering how the
proposed Customer Energy Village at the InTEGRel site could be used to accelerate the decarbonisation in a way that is fair for all in our society and benefits our climate.” MacOscar told The Courier “A variety of different ideas stood out to me, for their creativity and resourcefulness. For example, Wipro looked at creating a wearable device to improve safety of our staff who work in remote locations.” “A few teams looked at the impact that COVID-19 is having on employees working from home, and Ntegra are devising a ‘watercooler space’ where colleagues can catchup. This will be a brilliant way of keeping people connected during these uncertain times.” MacOscar closed her statement by stating “I just can’t wait to watch all of the different projects develop and to see how they benefit the sector.” Image: Northumbrian Water Group
Northumberland robotics company designs app for social distancing Blyth robotics' distancing tech used by runners during London Marathon 2020 Lily Holbrook & Ella McCaffrey
O course,
ver 45 000 runners took part in the London Marathon on 4 October 2020. Elite athletes completed an official with non-elite athletes
Image: Twitter (@sis)
completing a virtual course and logging their progress on an app. 100 elite runners ran 19.6 laps of a 'covid-secure' course around London St James' Park, finishing on The Mall as per tradition. Other participants had a 24 hour window to complete the event. Participants in the official event used 'Bump', a Bluetooth tracking device which notified staff and runners when they were in close proximity to one another. If anyone tested positive for up to two weeks before the race, those they were in contact with were notified. This app,
which facilitated the first marathon to take place anywhere in the world since the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed by Tharsus, a robotics manufacturing company based in Blyth, Northumberland.
Everything has been so negative with COVID-19, but doing something positive was just so lovely
The Blyth robotics company is also beginning trials of the Bump device in the NHS to potentially protect immunocompromised patients in hospitals. An audio and visual cue may allow vulnerable patients, such as those suffering from cancer, to remain safe. As well as this, Tharsus is keen to expand in workplaces.
The first marathon to take place anywhere in the world since the COVID-19 pandemic Although operational staff and runners were required to wear the Bump device around their necks in the build-up to the race, athletes were allowed to remove the device shortly before the start line. Event director Hugh Brasher said “I am really proud that we’ve been agile enough to put this race on and have been given the support to do it. I hope we can be a beacon of light in the darkness and that this event will show the power of the family of mankind coming together." Ms Silverthorn ran her 11th
marathon remotely from Penzance. She tells the BBC: "Everything has been so negative with COVID-19, but doing something positive with 45 000 people around the world was just so lovely".
Blyth robotics is beginning trials of Bump in the NHS to protect immunocompromised patients "It's not like previous marathons with the loud crowds. There came a point where I needed a few shouts and some car horns to keep me going." In a shock result, reigning champion Eliud Kipchoge was beaten to the finish line by 24 year old Ethiopian Shura Kitata, who took the win with a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 41 seconds. The use of radio-frequency technology hints at promise for covid-secure events in the future. However, the 2021 London Marathon has already been postponed from the usual April date to October as a
THE
COURIER
Monday 19 October 2020
7
Campus Comment
What the University have done so far, and what more it can do to help look after its students Dominic Lee
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— Music sub-editor
ewcastle University sadly lost two members of its community recently to drugs. We can’t imagine the pain that the friends and family of those who died will be feeling at the moment. However, it is up to us as the student community to determine whether the University could be doing more to protect students in future. Unfortunately, the response from the University – and in particular Vice Chancellor Chris Day – has been rather tone-deaf and somewhat patronising. In an email sent to students on 4 October, the Vice Chancellor explained that it was against the law to take drugs or supply drugs, and that it is also extremely dangerous. This knee-jerk reaction from the Vice Chancellor not only showed a complete lack of empathy, but also a lack of leadership and action at the time. A later email from the Vice Chancellor explained that the University Executive Team would be working with NUSU and the police to put support methods in place. However, it is unclear at this point what
shape this support from the University will take. Some initial positive steps have been taken by NUSU – who have arguably responded more effectively and with more compassion than the University – with an amnesty bin being placed inside the SU building where students can dispose of drugs without consequence. This is far more likely to keep students safe than the disposal service offered by police, which would assess disposals on a caseby-case basis.
It is clear that drug testing kits are desperately needed In a statement released by the NUSU Welfare and Equality Officer, it was also revealed that the SU are working hard to make drug testing kits a reality, in light of a recent petition to make them available to students. However, it was also made clear that there is some opposition to the introduction of the kits which is possibly out of a fear to appear to endorse drug taking. Nevertheless, it is clear that these kits are desperately needed in order to keep students safe, and it is now down to the University to help make them a reality. It’s a choice between keeping up appearances and keeping students safe and we can only hope that they make the right one.
Images (left to right): Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Joe Molander
Images (left to right): Pikrepo and Number 10 on Flickr
How do we stay safe after the drug deaths in Park View?
Marshal law
A look at the growing tension between students and the state Muslim Taseer
P
— Comment sub-editor
icture a government so selfish it willingly puts people in harm’s way, for the economy. It knows very well how this pandemic works, and knows how best to limit its spread, but decides not to make those choices, because they come at the cost of economic activity. It makes sense. The disease is most transmitted by aerosols, respiratory droplets, and surface contamination. It makes sense therefore that many people from different households in an indoors space with no masks on would be the perfect formula for spreading. Unfortunately, this situation also presents itself perfectly in bars, pubs, restaurants and some shops, which are, coincidentally, what make the economy go round. At this point, it becomes clear that the government must either put human lives first or profits. The government, Boris’s Tories, have chosen the economy. The truth is it doesn’t matter if students have been following the guidelines. The guidelines
have been confusing and misleading since their inception. At every stage, the government hesitated. The lockdown came too late, was lifted too early, and now must be re-instituted, all because of their greed. Obviously, a large chunk of students are not following these guidelines to the letter. However, the responsible ones are using common sense and knowledge about transmission to minimize risk. Students have been bubbling with just one other household, living with friends and meeting outdoors with masks on. It comes down to personal responsibility. On the other hand, even students that are technically following the government guidance at this point are doing much more harm. Up until Monday, government guidance had bars and pubs still open until 10pm, even though going out there increases risk. The weekend before Monday, everyone was going out for ‘one last hurrah’, a superspreading event like no other. The students having police and Covid marshals step into their houses and harass them are the ones staying home, with the one other household over that they are bubbled with anyway. People are still going to work, too! Everyone could be more responsible, sure, but what really deserves blame here is the confusing guidelines.
Let's talk about Newcastle University's accessibility problem Is Newcastle doing enough to accomodate disabled students?
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Gemma Powell
he University had failed to make this academic year accessible for all. We see this in the lack of plans in place for students with disabilities, those with caring responsibilities and those stuck abroad. Many disabled students said they have felt pressured by the University to return to campus. An anonymous computer science student expressed that their school had not communicated effectively with students, failing to mention there was an online and in person version of induction events. The student suffered severe anxiety around entering campus in the week prior to entering Tier 3.
The University has not effectively communicated about the tier system Whilst the tier system was designed by the government and not the University, they have not
effectively communicated with students exactly what will happen at each stage of the tier system. Many students were only aware of the tiers and changes due to previous Courier articles. The tier rating changed on Wednesday 7 October from Tier 2 to Tier 3, meaning students would no longer receive lessons in person from the Thursday. This rapid change is simply not good enough where disabled students are concerned. When the inevitable reverse of this tier change comes, 24 hours’ notice will not be enough time. Students with autism find it hard to cope with immediate change, while students using mobility aids require more than a day's preparation time. The obvious solution to this would be to opt to study online like other vulnerable students. However, the University actually aren’t providing students who chose this option with the same level of education. An anonymous final year modern languages student told The Courier: “Because of my disability, I am at high risk from the virus. But I recently found out from my school that when we are back on Tier 2, there won’t be online seminars for some of my modules. They won’t even record them for me to access from home! I will effectively be left to fill in the seminar worksheet without any support from my lecturers or input from other class members. This will be the case for able-bodied, self-isolating students too. Surely this will give an incentive to more people to go to lectures when they are sick.”
This has also been confirmed for other subjects such as English and History. Though a difficult balance to strike, a desire for normality simply cannot outweigh an accessibility need. A Newcastle University spokesperson said: "The School of Modern Languages is fully committed to supporting students to meet their individual needs and all the modules that this student has chosen are either already available online or have recorded sessions - we hope that this offers reassurance. "The School adjusts its teaching of modules when it is made aware that a student is studying remotely to maximise individually tailored support. This was done when the student
contacted the School and additional support has also been offered. On the advice of Newcastle’s Director of Public Health and in collaboration with Newcastle City Council, the University as a whole agreed to move to Tier 3 of the Department for Education’s guidance on delivery of teaching during COVID-19 outbreaks. All programmes are being delivered online except where present-in-person sessions are essential to meet programme learning outcomes or satisfy accreditation requirements. This will be reviewed next week. We recognise that this is a difficult time for students, and we continue to provide support on and off campus. Image: Needpix.com
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Monday 19 October 2020
Comment
£9250 for what?
With teaching going online and the announcement of a Tier 2 lockdown, students are unhappy that their tuition fees are staying the same. Gemma Powell
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ith the University changing to Tier 3 on the Higher Education COVID scale, and the city put into Tier 2 lockdown, most of our education will be provided online. But with IT issues and a series of important parts now missing from multiple degrees, the question of tuition fee refunds is raised once again. Science labs had already been reduced before the move to Tier 3. Chemistry students in Stage 3 undergrad had been told that their lab hours would be reduced from nine hours a week to a mere three hours a week. Now these students are left unsure of exactly what they are going to receive, as timetables are not released until next week.
"The standard of teaching is not worth the same money" Many students have pointed out that other forms of online education services charge significantly less for the same standard that Newcastle students will be receiving this semester. Meg Howe, a History student at the University, said: “I totally understand the move to online is for health reasons, but the standard of teaching and content being delivered to us is not the same as face to face teaching and not worth the same money. The Open University charges significantly less per year for an undergraduate degree. This is because they recognise they lack the element of in person tuition.” Meg also went on to comment how the combination of the rapid Tier changes and the ongoing IT issues mean that higher-ups at the University are leaving both staff and students out of the loop. “We are all in the dark. It seems mod-
"We are all in the dark. Discussion with some staff is minimal" ule leaders will only discuss things with you if you email them to arrange a meeting first.” Many student groups have arisen, some of which demand refunds, like refundnewcastle, who have claimed on their Twitter page that studies show that online learning is far less effec-
THE
COURIER
Image: Wikimedia Commons
tive. Other groups simply question whether this year is worth £9250 (or even more for international students). The Courier spoke to 9k4what, a group of Fine Arts students who explained that their studio access had been reduced by 85%, from a possible maximum of 480 hours to a new possible maximum of 72 hours.
People who are doing art from home will not get their deposit back A spokesperson for the student group said: “A reduction in fees isn’t what we want. Ideally, we want the university to find appropriate space for us, either on or off campus. We are also troubled to know that the University isn’t planning for semester 2 at all and is treating [the rising COVID-19 cases] as some sort of temporary setback.” 9k4what went on to explain that the University is encouraging them to work from home instead of the University studio spaces, “Tenancy agreements will be violated and students working from home won’t be insured. I’m sure that anyone [doing artwork] from home will not get their deposit back for instance.” The consensus on a refund is not entirely clear, but what is clear is students believe there needs to be an improvement of services for this academic year to be worth its money. A few improvements are needed. Regular communication with students from heads of school and DPDs, and a series of reflection activities marked by lecturers. Support to struggling students in the buffer weeks. That, and a creative approach to alternative arrangements that don’t financially impact students, are certainly needed. Image: Wikimedia Commons
9k4what can be found on Instagram
Roast(s) of the Week
Policy Review Priti Patel's islands for immigrants Eve Brennan
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fter a record number of migrants were seen crossing the Channel in August, Priti Patel has proposed potential new measures regarding the processing of migrants after Brexit. These measures have considered offshoring migrants to British overseas territories, or converting old ferries into processing centres for people seeking asylum in the UK. It's not exactly fresh news that the number of migrants crossing the Channel in rubber dinghies has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted safer routes via road vehicles and ferries. The National Crime Agency has revealed that migrant smugglers have cut prices for crossing the Channel to as little as £450 to cram more people in boats. By the end of August 2020, there had been 5000 asylum seekers attempting to reach the UK from France, more than double the number during the whole of 2019. Consequently, Priti Patel has vowed to make this journey across the Channel ‘unviable’ to prevent the number of migrants reaching the UK ‘illegally’ from increasing, and has warned the smuggling gangs – in no uncertain terms – “we’re coming for you”. Last month, the Home Office announced plans to deploy Navy ships to intercept refugee boats, preventing them from reaching UK soil. Since then, the Government’s plans to tackle the ‘migrant crisis’ have become even more controversial. Patel also announced plans to process asylum seekers on overseas territories like Ascension and
St Helena, located in the South Atlantic over 4000 miles away from the UK. The Foreign Office have assessed the practicality of transferring migrants from the UK to the islands and have subsequently decided not to proceed. But even the consideration of ‘offshoring’ migrants has received backlash from members of the opposition for its’ inhumanity, impracticality, and expense. Patel also proposed to buy retired ferries and ships to convert into asylum processing centres. The cost of this strategy makes it even more ludicrous than the offshoring policy; ships hosting between 1400-2400 people could cost between £6116 million to buy and even more to convert. These new policies for processing asylum seekers in the UK would be even more inhumane and expensive for the tax payer than the current system. Asylum seekers are currently prohibited from working, but accommodated in hostels or shared flats and allowed £37.75 per week. Hence, the Government may not be spending enough on ensuring that migrants can safely migrate and assimilate in the UK, but wasting millions on converting old ships or offshoring vulnerable families is not the answer. In January, the UK will no longer be able to return migrants to France, like they currently can under EU law. Despite the promises of Brexit bringing more control over borders, the Government are only just starting to realise that no law can prevent migrants desperately crossing the Channel to seek asylum. This panic amongst the Conservative Party has resulted in more authoritarian policies towards migrants, and this can only worsen as 31 December approaches.
Usually we have a Toast of the Week, but why not get angry instead? NIGHTLIFE Mazy Law Human beings are social animals. We devote a significant portion of our brain just to dealing with social interactions. More than 1000 students have tested positive for coronavirus over the last week. While further COVID-19 restrictions are enforced in North East England, students continue to have night outs in large groups. As a student, I understand how socialising is very important, and nightlife is one of best ways to socialise with others. However, with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, we should
consider whether to risk our life in order to have fun, or stay home for the benefit of ourselves and others. There are countless other ways to socialise with our friends. Even though you might not die from this virus, others might suffer from the consequences. We only live once. We are still young and there is a lifelong journey ahead of us. I understand it is hard to endure during this difficult time. Despite this, please be considerate! Regret is not an option when we can choose wisely.
TRACK AND TRACE Autumn Lily
Track and Trace first called me two days after I tested positive. After twenty minutes of questions the call ended. The next day, they called again. When I told them I’d already given my information, they said it wasn’t on the system. Everyday of isolation I awoke to missed calls. On one such call (a week after my positive test) I was asked if I had symptoms of COVID as they’d identified me as having contact with a positive case. Once, in a Track and Trace Matrix they called while I was on the phone to them.
I don’t blame the callers looking for work, but the government throwing £10bn at an ineffectual system. Between me and my friends countrywide, Track and Trace has become a joke, like a harmless but bothersome ex. My flatmate has blocked them, the rest don’t answer anymore. Track and Trace we’re just not that into you.
Images (beer and coronavirus): Joe Molander
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Monday 19 October 2020
Comment
9
Sympathy for the Devil? We should offer our sympathy to politicians struggling with poor health, even the bad ones Lauren Haslam
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ven the worst political leaders deserve sympathy in times of personal crisis. Although it may not seem like it at times, these politicians are human. Not affording other humans basic sympathy makes us no better than them, as low as our opinion of them may be. British PM Boris Johnson, and US President Donald Trump were both in poor health before contracting coronavirus. This meant that they suffered acutely upon being infected with the disease. Post-corona, Johnson has made it his mission to make it known in the UK that being overweight vastly increases the chances of severe complication from the virus. He declared recently at the Conservative Party annual conference that his “nasty experience” was due to his weight. H i s change in att it u d e following his experience in ICU, Image: Gage Skidmore on Flickr taking a more
vocal opposition to the UK's obesity problems, has been criticised for being insensitive to those with eating disorders. Despite this, Johnson should be offered some sympathy. His outspoken nature about his health may have encouraged someone out there to reassess their own lifestyle and subsequently change their life for the better. This can only ever be a good thing. Boris has also pushed people to take the virus more seriously and thus protect the elderly and vulnerable – even if his motive is to simply generate sympathy for himself.
Trump deserves far more criticism than Johnson, for lying about his health Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Trump. He deserves to be criticised far more than Johnson for hiding how much he was suffering. After being released from hospital on 5th October, The White House posted a video online which seems to have suggested that he was immune to the virus; "now I'm better, and maybe I'm immune?". In the same video, he also downplayed the danger of the virus, "Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life". The damage induced by this will be seen in the coming weeks, but the pain these statements have caused the families and friends of the 214 000 dead in the United States is immeasurable. Clearly, a politician’s personal life can bleed into politics and become politics itself. Former Vice-President Joe Biden is also an example of a politician that deserves personal sympathy. Notably, after Trump smeared the Democratic presidential nominee's late-son Beau during the Presidential debate, sympathy for Biden was overwhelming even amongst Biden’s harshest critics. Personal crises can be related to by all – death is an inevitable and yet painful thread throughout the human experience. No doubt that if Johnson, or indeed Trump, had succumbed to coronavirus, we would all feel sympathy for the families of these people. This comes even if Trump and Johnson are yet to earn this kind of respect by their actions.
Donald Trump and Boris Johnson will have to earn any sympathy they may get Thomas Dickson
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he President of the United States of America has caught COVID-19, showing how indiscriminate coronavirus is. Stay safe everyone! Given the fact that coronavirus is as terrible as it is, and the President is who he is, it raises the question does he and other politicians deserve sympathy in these situations? Well, my answer to that would be it is context dependent. However, in the case of the Commander-in-Chief across the pond, I truly believe sympathy from many people would be hard to find and be underserved.
Trump has caught a virus that he admitted on tape to downplaying, on purpose Let me just say of course this isn’t wishing death upon anyone. The issue is whether sympathy is deserved for the President catching a virus that he has admitted to Bob Woodward on tape that he intentionally downplayed. The US has reached around 7.5 million infections, a number which would undoubtedly be lower if he had acted swiftly. I’d argue that sympathy would be last on the list of emotions for many, given the facts - and the facts are clear. I’ll take you through them briefly now to show that I’m not just some heartless man - that role indeed falls to the President! As evident with his X-Factor-esque performance returning to the White House, masks aren’t hot with the President, as he removed his almost immediately upon arrival, despite being infected. It is estimated that between 66 000-100 000 lives could
potentially be saved in the US by December if everyone wore a mask in public. They are essential. A man who shows such little regard for this and then goes on to catch the virus can have very little complaints. The President has also continued to hold large, albeit outdoor, rallies for his campaign. This endangered people with no social distancing and set a dangerous precedent. A President is meant to lead by example. He also cut a pandemic early warning programme’s funding last September. It’s funny how these things work, isn’t it?
Politicians can endanger our lives, without any sympathy or empathy I could sit here all day telling you how much he has mishandled the virus but I won’t insult your intelligence. Politicians increasingly affect our lives. If a politician makes decisions that endanger our lives, with sympathy and empathy not even an afterthought, like we have in this case, w h y should we ext e n d those feelings to them?
Image: Number 10 on Flickr
Coronavirus and the rise of a second cold war The latter half of the 20th century was dominated by an nuclear arms race between the West and Russia. Will 2020 see a race for the coronavirus vaccine?
W Niall Wilson
normalised rela- tions are a distant prospect. But what does the coronavirus have to do with it? Well, we once again find ourselves in a sort of arms race. Not for atomic weapons, but instead for a working vaccine.
ith the rise of post-recession nationalism on every continent, we have seen the East and West as at loggerheads recently. The question is, has the Coronavirus pandemic thrown fuel onto that fire, or has it united the world against a common enemy?
A culture clash is bubbling between the US and Russia Back in 1984, the tail end of the Cold War, President Reagan famously joked “My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.” Today, similar sentiments are increasingly bubbling to the surface in the culture clash between the Russian Federation and Trump’s capitalist USA. Experts warn that these threats have gone too far, and when the current pandemic is put into the mix, the chances of
Over Image: Pixabay 40 vaccine candidates are currently in clinical trials in October, backed by a variety of political organisations. The Trump administration have funnelled billions of dollars into its ‘Operation Warp Speed’, hoping to have first access to 300 million vaccine doses. This is plenty enough to achieve the much talked about ‘herd immunity’, but there are concerns that this large effort will restrict access of vaccine doses into less developed nations. Americans-first ideology
has been central to the Trump campaign, so naturally the same would happen with a vaccine, right? The race is ruthless. UK-US intelligence services recently claimed Russian state-backed hackers attempted to steal valuable vaccine research from numerous universities. Of course, Russia denied these claims. They instead developed their own aptly named Sputnik V vaccine. Sputnik V, a nod to the previous Soviet satellites involved in the Cold War space race, is
already p ois e d for distribution to people across Russia. It spent only 2 months of the standard 1-2 years in clinical
trials, receiving criticism from the West, with concerns for safety and efficacy. If Sputnik V works, it would grant Russia political leverage and a golden ticket out of the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus.
The WHO has managed to group together 172 countries to find a COVID-19 vaccine With the battle on the military and space exploration front defining the 20th century, we find ourselves in uncharted territory battling on public health. To counter this, the WHO has managed to group together 172 of the world’s countries to collaboratively work on a vaccine, ensuring equal distribution to vulnerable members of society in each participating country. But, with the USA planning to withdraw from the WHO in 2021 and Russia shrouding Sputnik V test results in secrecy, will it really be a global effort? Only time will tell. But what is for certain, whoever is first to produce a working vaccine, will have a moral decision to either out-compete world superpowers, or use it as an opportunity to heal some of the division our world faces. Unfortunately, I believe winner of this race would find the prospect of world supremacy a much more appealing option.
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Monday 19 October 2020
Science
Word of the week Rhinorrhea Isabel Lamb
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he leaves turn brown, the frost creeps in, the tissues come out. It’s the time of Rhinorrhea, or the runny nose. This symptom of allergies and common colds triggered by the immune response results in excessive discharge of mucus from nasal mucous membranes lining the insides of noses everywhere. Cold weather means the tiny hairs, cilia, that help to push mucus towards the back of your throat become lethargic and sluggish, so mucus drips down your nose. This is before, fingers crossed, you wipe it away with a tissue. As you sniffle this winter, you may wonder: is there a point to all this mucus anyway? But it really is rather important. It ensures that your nasal cavity and other airways are kept moist for efficient airflow, and it prevents dust and other small particles entering your lungs, actinoter. It really is only trying its best and that’s all we can ask.
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Dogs detect COVID-19 at airport
10 dogs are sniffing out coronavirus in sweat Erin Holley
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he turnaround between test results of COVID-19 of swabs are a pressing issue surrounding the global effort to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Delays in test results may prevent infected individuals from effectively self-isolating, heightening the multifaceted transmission mechanisms that make coronavirus so contagious.
The novel approach has so far enjoyed a success rate of almost 100% Since 22 September 2020, Helsinki airport has utilised trained sniffer dogs in an attempt to rapidly detect and immediately quarantine individuals with COVID-19. This novel approach relies on dogs that have previously shown success in identifying cancerous and diabetic human cell cultures, that currently work with an almost 100% accuracy rate when detecting COVID-19.
The dogs are able to work with a 10-60 second turnaround
10 dogs are working within the Finnish pilot project and are able to successfully detect COVID-19 in human sweat samples, with an incredible turnaround: just 10 seconds to under a minute. This turnaround, compared with the standard 24hour window that individuals being tested in England must wait for, represents an opportunity to prevent asymptomatic carriers from unknowingly infecting others. Dr HielmBjorkman of the University of Helsinki has attested to the dogs’ abilities, with all 10 dogs able to detect COVID-19 in an individual up to five days before symptoms develop. Currently, the COVID-19 R rate in the UK has hovered around 1.2-1.5, meaning that every 10 infected people can infect 12 to 15 other people. The Helsinki project aims to identify potentially contagious asymptomatic individuals before entry into the country, by allowing the dogs to test individuals in the
arrivals lounge. This cost-effective and efficient method represents a branch of Finland’s largely successful methods of state funded COVID-19 support and containment protocols. Despite the early success of this programme, it is worth remembering that the programme is still in its infancy, and remains a trial rather than a mandatory process in immigration screening. However, this programme represents a promising, t h o u g h unconventional, testing process that ultimately puts Finland ahead in the worldwide effort to curb COVID-19.
The article "Beyond the lab bench in a COVID-19 era" was printed under Grace Piercy's name, but was actually written by Shreya Dube. The Courier apologises. Images: Flickr and Pixabay
Newly discovered comet with its own aurora makes history Comet 67P was first thought to have a dayglow when it was seen in 2014 Alex Ventisei
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recent discovery from the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft has astonished astrologists and could lead to greater understanding of our sun’s solar winds. On Earth, the northern lights are caused by charged particles flung out by our sun, which interact with our upper atmosphere and emit visible light. It creates a stunning effect which has been observed to take place on other planets too; Jupiter and some of its moons are notable examples. However, we have never known these northern lights to appear on comets until this astonishing discovery from the Rosetta mission.
An ultraviolet aurora is produced on the comet's surface, like the Northern Lights Comet 67P was photographed in 2014 and thought to have something called a dayglow, meaning that photons of light from the sun
interacted with a layer of gas around the comet called the coma. But this was found to be incorrect. “The glow surrounding 67P/C-G is one of a kind,” said Marina Galand, lecturer at Imperial College London and lead author of the study. In fact, the process occurring on the comet was its very own aurora, where electrons from the sun’s solar wind split oxygen away from molecules and excite individual atoms. So, the process occurring on 67P is analogous to the northern lights on Earth! An ultraviolet aurora is produced on the comet’s surface, invisible to the naked eye but captured by some of the Rosetta spacecraft’s many sensors. Although not in the visible spectrum, if we could stand on the comet and view this with the aid of some magic glasses the effect would be completely breathtaking. That’s if you could get over the lack of
habitable conditions on the comet’s surface!
Studying comet 67P could improve our understanding of "weather" in space Scientists can now explore the light emissions from 67P, examining how it changes over time to learn more about the mysterious solar winds emitted by our Sun. Future discoveries from this special phenomena could be groundbreaking. There are many unanswered questions regarding the “weather” in space around stars and how solar winds propagate, which could be answered by further study of 67P and other comets like it.
Got a question about science? From the science of how stuff works to explanations behind bizarre scientific phenomena, put your weird and wonderful questions to our writers.
Images: Pixabay and Needpix.com
Contact The Courier on social media to get in touch with our editors.
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Monday 19 October 2020
Science
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Black scientists left out of the loop in top institutions
A look at racism in scientific institutions Shreya Dube
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t is fair to say that academia is not always a level playing field. So what is it like being black in the ivory tower of academia? Dear reader, let us investigate.
Black people may be 10-13% less likely to achieve funding than white PI candidates
Traditionally, there have been (and continue to be) disparities between black academics and their white counterparts in areas such as publication, hiring and funding. For example, studies on funding in the National Institute of Health (NIH) showed that black people are 1013% less likely to achieve funding than white Principal Investigator (PI) candidates. There is also a startling resurgence of science being twisted to support dubious claims in relation to white supremacy in the fields of
genetics. It is the responsibility of scientific bodies to condemn these malignant communities. More recently, the current COVID-19 situation has been met with further controversy. The UK Research and Innovation government agency (UKRI) was in hot water after procuring 4.3 million pounds for research around COVID-19 and ethnicity, and none of that grant funding was paid out to black academics. This led to a letter being penned by a group of black female academics, venting their outrage and pointing out the hypocrisy of UKRI, who previously expressed their concern over lack of participation by BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) individuals in COVID-19 studies. To add salt to the wound, scientific research finds that BAME people are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
#blackinchem has trended on Twitter Another astonishing feat of the black academic community can be found on Twitter. Through the grief, rage and inspiration surrounding the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter
movement this year, discrimination in academia was spoken about candidly. Organisations such as ‘Black In Neuro’ was fully set up and funded, achieving mainstream recognition and holding conferences featuring black-led scientific projects. This also gave way to other black communities such as #blackinchem #blackinbio trending on Twitter. Something that is encouraging to see, is the awareness and action in the face of this inequality to amplify BIPOC voices. Academic institutions are starting to be encouraged to form equality, diversity and inclusivity boards to ensure that minorities are protected, raised and represented in teaching and learning. This topic can have valuable discourse to last for eons. I’d like to leave you with one final thought, a book. ‘The Mismeasure of Man,’ authored by Stephen Jay Gould, explores the unjust past and claims of science in relation to race, and has a very pertinent message, “Determinist arguments for ranking people … have recorded little more than social prejudice”. So dear reader, let’s make our academic space a welcoming and equitable one, for collaboration and awareness are the cornerstones of discovery and success.
Image: Pixrepo
Sir David Attenborough promoting ecofascism? The documentary A Life On Our Planet has been met with some controversy since release Lilla Marshall
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he latest Sir David A t t e n b o r o u g h documentary “A Life On Our Planet” takes an unfiltered look at the harsh realities relating to the destruction of Earth’s biodiversity. However, some are concerned that the most trusted environmentalist in Britain is enabling a dangerous message.Ecofascism is the political idea of using fascist, authoritarian policies to protect the environment. This ideology can be traced back to Nazi Germany, who coined the slogan “Blood and Soil” – where the purity of Germany’s soil could only be protected by the German “Aryan” race, with the decline in purity blamed on the Jewish population.
Modern ecofascism can involve blaming climate change on the global South
Image: Flickr
One way in which ecofascism has manifested in the modern day is through blaming the rapidly increasing populations of the global South (Brazil, India, China, etc.) for
climate change. These beliefs have led to policies which encourage or force sterilisation in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Uzbekistan and others. Critics argue that it’s wrong to blame these developing areas, with them instead opting to blame the rich. A recent report from Oxfam and the Stockholm Environment Institute found that, between 1990 and 2015, the richest 1% in the world contributed twice as much carbon dioxide emissions than the poorest 50%. The Global Footprint Network estimates that if every country consumed renewable resources at the same rate as the USA, we would need the equivalent of five planet Earths. At the same level as India, we would only need 0.7 Earths. This heated debate is what has led to David Attenborough’s latest documentary drawing criticism. Attenborough has always been very vocal about his belief of a link between population growth and the climate crisis, and is a patron of the controversial charity Population Matters, which is focused on the issue. In his latest film, there is a huge focus on the rise of the human population over time, showing a correlation between that and an increase in carbon emissions and a decrease in natural land. He warns the viewer that humans have “overrun the world”. Sam Knights, an Extinction Rebellion organiser and writer, spoke about the film in a series of tweets, saying: “This focus is incredibly dangerous. Talking about population growth without also talking about capitalism and inequality invariably leads to the people least responsible for the crisis being blamed. It delays action.”
Attenborough and Population Matters’ argument relies on the idea that everything would be easier if the population was smaller. That’s not necessarily true, though, as British writer and climate activist George Monbiot points out, “If we had the global population of 500 years ago (around 500 million), and if it were composed of average UK plane passengers, our environmental impact would probably be greater than that of the 7.8 billion alive today.” Monbiot claims that transferring the blame for the climate crisis on to predominantly black and brown countries is reinforcing racist stereotypes of these countries being “full of savages” and acts as a justification for colonialism.
Attenborough doesn't just put the blame on the global South, and he is not an eco-fascist Attenborough isn’t solely resting the blame on the global South. In a new podcast with BBC Radio 5 Live, he has explicitly spoken out against the greed of the wealthy and how the constant growth necessary under capitalism is what the climate crisis ultimately boils down to. He specifically mentions the standards of living in Western cultures being an issue, which directly contradicts the ideas of ecofascism. David Attenborough is not an ecofascist, but his over-focus on population issues does run the risk of enabling that dangerous narrative. A Life On Our Planet is on Netflix
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Monday 19 October 2020
Chef spotlight: Mariya Russell Cayla Viner celebrates Mariya Russell, the first black female chef to be awarded a Michelin star
Cayla Viner -- Food sub-editor rom making eggs in her family home in Ohio, to becoming the first black female chef to be awarded a Michelin star, Mariya Russell is making history. Her ambition, talent and determination throughout her cooking career led her to achieve star status in less than a year of working at Chicago’s Kikkō. Russell took an interest in cuisine at an early age, while growing up surrounded by food in her family home in Ohio. Along with frozen pizzas, that she would make and share with her childhood friends, Russell told the Michelin Guide: “I remember learning how to make myself eggs and wanting to do it for everybody.” Her early enthusiasm for cooking was just the beginning. After finishing high school, she enrolled at a cooking school in Chicago, where she excelled. Despite gathering experience in
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some of Chicago’s top restaurants, Russell and her husband decided to relocate to South Carolina for its slower pace and warmer climate. However, after three years they returned home as Russell continuously experienced overt racism in what she had hoped to be her dream workplace. Back in Chicago, she took the only job available at Oriole, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, working as a waitress. After a year or so working front-of-house, she moved back into the kitchen as Oriole’s sous-chef. Her experience in the kitchen and as a waitress, although a more convoluted journey, set her up perfectly for her next and biggest culinary venture. It is here we arrive at Kikkō in Chicago – a restaurant so intimate and special, Russell often likens it to a dinner party among friends. Both chef and diners share the room, allowing the restaurant guests to not only enjoy Russell’s unique menu, but to interact with the chef as she perfects her Japanese cooking. It is an immersive and special experience that allows Russell to fully showcase her passion for cooking. By sharing the whole process, from board to pan to plate, she emphasises her phenomenal skill as chef and artisan. While certainly breaking down barriers, Russell’s
Food
Michelin star highlights how far the food industry still needs to go to move away from a heavily white, male-dominated business- the top spots are often inaccessible to talented chefs who have not come from a certain background. Russell tells neta-porter: “there are aspects of the culture – toxic masculinity, classism, elitist mindsets – that need to be eliminated, so that the restaurant industry can be built from a better station.”
Amelia Thorpe
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easonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is form of depression which is experienced when there are large changes in the weather and number of daylight hours. SAD is also known as “winter depression” or the
SAD can trigger feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicide
“winter blues” because symptoms are usually more apparent and severe in the winter. The mental health disorder affects roughly 10% of the population of Northern Europe, with 20% of sufferers experiencing more severe symptoms. Although it is common for dull weather and little daylight to dampen your mood, winter weather affects SAD sufferers so much that it can trigger depressive episodes that may result in feelings of hopelessness, guilt, despair, and even thoughts of suicide. Other symptoms of SAD include: sleep problems (oversleeping but not feeling rested), lethargy (being so tired that everything becomes chore), craving carbohydrates (leading to weight gain), anxiety, persistent low mood, social withdrawal, and physical problems (such as joint pain, indigestion, and lowered immunity to infection). These symptoms tend to start around September and can last until April, but are at their worst in the darkest months. The exact causes of SAD are unclear. However, research shows that lack of bright light in winter has a huge effect on people’s mood and behaviour. One reason this might cause symptoms of SAD is because prolonged lack of bright light causes a biochemical imbalance in the brain; when light
Prolonged lack of bright light causes a biochemical imbalance in the brain hits the backs of our eyes, messages are sent to our brain which control sleep, appetite, sex drive, temperature, mood and activity. When levels of light are low, these functions may slow down. Therefore, one way of relieving the symptoms of SAD is through bright light therapy by setting a bright light box up in your room. Another w a y
Image: Pixabay
Potatoes:theroot tohappiness?
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y admiration for the starchy spud knows no bounds, so it was a struggle to narrow down the dish list to just eight. Hopefully, however, this article will inspire you to conduct your own research in this field. Before I plough into our list: what makes the humble potato so elite? Firstly, they’re so so filling. Importantly from a student’s perspective, potatoes are relatively cheap; a quick browse of Tesco saw prices starting from £1.25 for 2.5kg of Maris Pipers, not bad at all considering the quantity of delicious food that can be extracted from them. Furthermore, the potato offers fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and B6 – all which support a healthy heart.
So what can you make? Rösti cakes
Rösti cakes are basically Hash Browns but they’re Swiss; grated potato, egg, flour and onion combined into a sort of dough, seasoned, then fried. Image: Helen Robson on Instagram
The essential vitamin to help SAD
Amelia Thorpe outlines the effects of SAD and how Vitamin D helps those darker days
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shorter daylight hours in the winter can cause SAD is due to fact the UV rays from the sun allow us to absorb vitamin D through our skin. Low blood status of vitamin D levels in winter is linked with poor immunity, depression and anxiety. Although getting the right amount of vitamin D from England’s winter sun is near impossible, there are other ways we can consume enough vitamin D, such as through food and supplements or even by taking a trip abroad during this time.
Vitamin D-rich foods Eating food is the healthiest and most naturally affordable way of consuming enough vitamin D. Here is a menu of vitamin D packed foods to add to your diet, especially over the winter months: Oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel Red meat – especially liver Egg yolks Mushrooms Some (fortified) dairy products Certain vegetables – such as broccoli and carrots Fortified foods – such as some fat spreads, breakfast cereals, and non-dairy milk alternatives So when it comes to satisfying hunger, trade in empty calories for something more hearty and nutritious. Full English fans are in luck as a traditional homemade fry-up (mushrooms, beans, bacon, black pudding and all) is rich in vitamin D. For veggies, a mushroom risotto or a smashed avocado and poached egg on toast will do the trick. There is a common misconception that cow’s milk (and other dairy products) is high in vitamin D and most of us are told to drink it from a young age to help strengthen and grow our bones. However, (in the UK at least) cows’ milk is not a goowd source of vitamin D because it is not fortified, deeming it useless in providing us with the vitamin D we need during winter to combat SAD. The government now advise that everyone take vitamin D supplements during autumn and winter, especially over lock-down, when our exposure to sunlight is at an all-time minimum. Although they are not as effective as consuming vitamin D through our diet, receiving enough vitamin D through diet alone is not always
Potato salad
Boil some new potatoes, then cut into chunks and throw into a bowl alongside some shallots, mayonaise and some herbs. Easy! Fast! And very tasty.
Soup
Potatoes offer a whole host of combos when it comes to soup; potatoes with lentils, with leeks, pretty much any grain / veg / meat combo compliments the versatile potato in this liquid dish.
Jacket Potatoes
Jacket potatoes: one of the best uses of the potato as a vehicle. Takes a bit of time, but worth the wait. Bake for 20 mins at 220 degrees with some olive oil, then tone it down to 190 degrees for another hour or so (give or take depending on size).
Crisps
Offering a flavoursome but light snack, crisps are a wonderful potato use. Easy to buy from the supermarket, but have you ever made your own? Don’t bother, it’s time consuming and you won’t be outdoing Walkers.
Saag Aloo
The base of this Indian dish is boiled or fried potatoes in a curry with leaves, (typically spinach or mustard), then served with roti, rice, or naan.
Roasted
When done well, I easily think roasted potatoes are the best potato format going. Roast in butter, or olive oil (or goose / duck fat even, if you’re feeling boujee).
Mashed
Make a creamy mashed potato right, and you’ve got yourself an easy side, adornment for a shepherd’s pie, or (let’s be real) snack straight from the bowl. Looking to mix it up a bit? Add garlic. Or try using sweet potato for a funky orange hue.
Sweet potato chocolate cake
Shock! I thought I’d conclude this exploration of potato potential with a pudding. Potato in a cake? It may not apeel to you on first thought, but don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. Here’s a good recipe. And that’s it! Eight potato possibilities. The word ‘potato’ no longer looks real to me. I hope I’ve converted you to the side of the potato!
Snack of the week
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By Gemma Powell
iced bell-peppers and hummus might sound like a simple snack to make but it’s tasty and high in energy to help you whilst studying. I choose diced bell peppers over carrots because of their slightly spicier kick and watery crunch. It really compliments the sourness of the lemon in the humus and is super refreshing on an intense study day.vitamin D through diet alone is not always enough.
Monday 19 October 2020
Relationships Gaslighting: how to spot the signs
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Sophie Hamilton illuminates how to spot the signs of gaslighting Sophie Hamilton
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he term gaslighting has become a quotidian concept when we talk about manipulation and forms of emotional abuse. For those who haven’t had direct experiences, it’s a term still shrouded in enigma. The transitive verb to gaslight, as per the Oxford English dictionary, is to manipulate a person by psychological means into questioning his or her own sanity. The phrase derives from the 1944 film Gaslight
Gaslighting can occur in various interpersonal relationships and is the intimation of power-struggle dynamics. dir. George Cukor, about a man who manipulates his wife into believing she is descending into insanity by making the lights dim and flicker in their home. While on the surface this could be seen as an arbitrary, innocuous act, to make somebody doubt their perception is to erode their trust in their own memory which can be a tool to deprive someone of autonomy and ultimately as a means of control. Though the term has become mainstream, the extent of its’ emotional and psychological consequences isn’t universally recognised, perhaps because of the broadening of the term following its’ filmic coinage. While gaslighting is usually contextualised in romantic relationships, gaslighting can occur in various interpersonal relationships and is the intimation of
a power-struggle dynamic. Adults can gaslight children, bosses can gaslight employees and politicians can gaslight the public. Often the most insidious forms of gaslighting will occur romantically because, unlike the previous examples, it is difficult to gauge a power imbalance where there is no socially circumscribed power dynamic. Psychologist Robin Stern Ph.D. has identified some of the red flags and signs to look out for when you are being gaslit: Second-guessing yourself You might find yourself doubting your recount of how certain situations have occurred that have upset you if your partner has been dismissive, told small lies about the situation or outright denying that situations have ever occurred. Feeling and/or being told you're "too sensitive" If your partner is invalidating your feelings as being too “sensitive”, this is often a glaring sign – This shifts the blame onto the victim for being sensitive to an action rather than the perpe trator taking accountability for the action that
The longer gaslighting occurs, the harder it is to heal emotionally. has upset their partner. Feeling as though you can't do anything right Often when you express upset, a partner who is gas lighting you might flip the situation to make it seem like you are the one being malicious or ‘crazy’. Justifying behaviour and withholding information from family and friends When your confidence in yourself and your reality has been eroded, you might find yourself withholding things from the people close to you because you know it will concern them. This, of course, isolates you from others that aren’t your partner. Feeling that you're a different person to who you used to be Being gas lit will heighten your emotions and can consequentially negatively alter your personality. Often when people are manipulating your perception, they’re also manipulating other people’s perception against you in order to maintain their version of events as absolute. The defining trait of gaslighting and why it is so insidious is that it is so covert – If your reality and perception is dismissed frequently and gradually by somebody close to you, often somebody you have become co-dependent on, then it becomes very easy to dismiss your perceptions of emotional abuse as delusions. Like most things, the longer gas lighting occurs, the harder it is to heal emotionally. If you find yourself identifying with the telltale signs, it’s integral to work towards removing yourself from the dynamic and regaining control of your reality. For further information, Dr. Robin Stern’s blog covers a lot of the strategies for overcoming and understanding gas lighting. Image : Instagram: @Juan_ignacio_rossi
Solitude is the new self-care
Annabel Hogg discusses the benefits of time alone Annabel Hogg
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elf-care; a phrase we’ve all been hearing a lot more of in the past few years. From fad diet teas to bubble baths, we are constantly being told to open our wallets in the name of loving ourselves. However, in the time of a pandemic, when money has been scarce and company in short supply- our happiness became solely reliant on the relationship we had with ourselves; and I for one, think this is a habit we should take with us into a post-Covid world. It’s no secret that laughing with friends is good for the soul, nor is it unheard of for people to swear by luxurious products known to aid sleep or increase happiness. But friends, just like materialistic self care - aren’t always permanent. In the blink of an eye, relationships can change and essential oils run dry- and that is why we must rely on something far more sustainable for our wellbeing. Solitude has always been pitied, it’s the reason why many of us wouldn’t dream of sitting in a restaurant alone, but it shouldn’t be that way. In order to ensure that your happiness can prevail in any circumstances (including a global pandemic), you must enjoy your own company- for that is the only thing that’s certain in life. As Florence Given, one of my favourite activists, says: ‘You have to be the love of your own life’. It’s true, you have to be truly happy in your own skin and in your own silence before relying on anything less certain. How do you achieve internal happiness? There’s
You wouldn't fall in love with someone hadn't got to know, so why is your relationship with yourself any different? no simple answer. But you wouldn’t fall in love with another person without taking the time to know them, so you shouldn’t attempt to do so with yourself. Take yourself on a date, sit and meditate for a while, explore the hidden parts of where you live without carrying a phone; find out who you are when you’re not performing at work, with your family, friends, people at your yoga class. When the door is locked and the curtains are drawn, who are you? When you take the time to actually listen to what your mind and body wants, you might find out that you’re a very different person to who you thought you were, and that’s okay. Spending time alone allows us to recognise our true desires, and with that we form not only a better relationship with ourselves, but with others too. You cannot love another person when you do not love yourself. Y o u may
have heard of the cup metaphor- you can’t pour into someone else’s cup if yours is empty; that takes us into the dangerous realm of co-dependency. Instead, make sure your own cup is full. Make time each day to do something that truly makes you happy. Get to know yourself, recognise your own boundaries and work on both your professional and personal goals. Then you can start thinking about pouring from your own cup; for you know that no matter how much you give, your cup will never run dry. Self-love has never been more important, and unfortunately, co-dependency has never been more dangerous. Start making a real effort to get to know yourself, take yourself out on a date, take time to cook and eat foods that make you feel good, work out where you want to be in 5 years. Start now. The ball is in your court.
Image : Instagram: @ florencegiven
Letter writing in a digital era Julia McGee-Russell
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fter spending hours a day on Zoom, does video calling a friend leave you feeling fatigued and disconnected? Maybe it's old-fashioned, but it might be time to crack open the notebook, and return to the longstanding tradition of letter writing. Despite the wave of new online activities to do with friends, sometimes Zoom just doesn't cut it. Messaging, memes, and Netflix Party, are all great ways to connect. However, none of these are tangible in the physical way a letter is. It might be impossible to hug the ones you love right now, but you can send them something they can hold in their hands,
Every time I receive a letter or postcard, it feels like a gift something you have spent time and attention making. There is a quiet joy in letter writing, in making art or using fun stickers to decorate the envelope. When you write a letter, you are not only having a conversation with someone, you are also creating an artefact they will likely treasure and look back on. Washi tape, calligraphy, wax seals, pressed flowers, and photos, there are so many ways to express yourself creatively with your letters and make something beautiful for your recipient. In the same way people enjoy choosing the perfect birthday present, something to surprise them with, letters are an opportunity to create something meaningful. Every time I receive a letter or postcard, it feels like a gift. The best thing about letter writing is that you can tailor it to the person you are sending it to. Lead your letter-writing style with what you share in common with the recipient. Your friend likes cows? Well then, whack out the black felt-tip pen and you'll make their day with a cow-print envelope. Even if you're not creative, or your friendship is slightly more cursed than wholesome, print out some hideous photos of you together and send them for your friend to decorate their room with. You could even use your lack of artistic talent to your advantage, and send a hilariously bad portrait of them. Letter writing doesn't have to be romantic, either. It can be anything you want it to be, as long as it'll fit through the post. Do you spend hours debating political ideas? Post them your thoughts on something - they can send it right back annotated with theirs. You could post nothing more than a cool leaf, if you think they would enjoy it. Letter writing doesn't have to be flowery or Victorian, or even long. There are no rules! Letter writing is also a way to connect on a deeper level, even without any fancy decorations. Asking deeper questions, sharing intimate thoughts, can be easier when you know they aren't going to respond within the minute. The effort that goes into writing and sending a letter can be a more genuine and clear way to say, "I'm reaching out, I care. I want to connect with you". Who wouldn't want to receive that message from a friend?
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Monday 19 October 2020
Relationships
20 YEAL OLD LANGUAGE & LINGUISTICS STUDENT, GEORGIA
Hi Georgia, why did you sign up for blind date? My flatmate and I signed each other up for it as a fun and unusual thing to do. What is your usual type? Funny and active! What were your first impressions of Alex? He was chatty and friendly. Did you enjoy going on a Zoom date? Yes, because it was different and I got to wear my pyjama bottoms! But also no because the sound sometimes cut out which meant we had to keep repeating things. What did you talk about on your date? Uni and COVID, mainly. We had a laugh about a mutual friend. Did you fancy him? Yes If Alex was a bar in Newcastle, which would he be and why? No idea, perhaps 97 & Social because I had a laugh there but don't know him well enough to make judgement? Have you been in contact with each other since the date? Just an email to exchange numbers.
21-YEAR-OLD ACCOUNTING & FINANCE STUDENT, ALEX
Hey Alex, why did you sign up for blind date? I wasn't aware I'd been signed up until I was forwarded an image of my submission by my mates why thought they could have a laugh at my expense. What's your usual type? I usually tend to go for brunettes. I definitely prefer girls that can carry a conversation and take interest in getting to know me better. Always a plus if they tell a good story and have a relaxed sense of humour. What were your first impressions of Georgia? She made a great first impression with good conversation and managed to avoid any awkwardness that would come with meeting someone for the first time online. Did you enjoy going on a Zoom date? Honestly, I really wasn't looking forward to it being over zoom, but after getting to know Georgia it wasn't that bad, definitely would have preferred a nice bar though! What did you talk about on your date? We really just got to know each other and exchanged some good night out stories from our time at Newcastle. Also found out that I had seen her in one of her musical performances due to me having a mate in the same society. Did you fancy her? Yes, great girl to spend some time with, and I really like the Scottish accent!
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Monday 19 October 2020
Lifestyle
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Image: Pixabay @ Comfreak
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Image: Pixabay @ PublicDomainPictuers
"Hustle culture": a generation of workaholics Anna Robson delves into "hustle culture" and whether the idea of working till you drop is toxic or motivational Anna Robson
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ustle: verb (North American English) Meaning – to act in an aggressive way or with a lot of energy.
As a generation, we are driven by external goals. It is what gives us purpose in life. It is the goals we set, the bucket lists we create, and the thing that gets us up in the morning. Through social media, we are being surrounded by success stories of Instagram influencers showcasing their Louis Vuitton collection and inspirational business people rising through the ranks to become millionaires. Our feed is bombarded with motivational quotes and selfmade entrepreneurs proclaiming #RiseandGrind. Hustle Culture is a fast-paced environment that feeds off long working hours and a restless sense of striving for some type of goal. Picture the hustle and bustle of New York City. You think of Wall Street and Suits. But do you also imagine people happy and content with where their lives are right now? Probably not. That is because Hustle Culture looks to the future, missing out on living in the present. You define yourself on external pressures instead of finding inner happiness and finding ‘casual magic’ in your everyday life. It is a new kind of philosophy. It has replaced the role of religion in giving people meaning and a purpose in life. Hustle Culture is not all bad. It depends upon how far you take it! It would be very naive of us to dismiss the benefits that hustle culture has in our capitalist society. It is essential for modernday social mobility that we work hard in the profession we do in order to climb the ladder of success. Everything in life revolves around money and getting a good job. If it means working, as Dolly would say, 9-till-5, then that what it takes!
Technological giant Elon Musk reiterates this idea stating that “nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week”. Hustling maybe that bit of motivation that someone needs to kick-start their week, we shouldn’t attack someone for wanting to work for their goals. Hustle culture can get toxic when you start to put your mental health below this idea of ‘constant working’. Hustle culture focuses on tangible outcomes, good mental health is not tangible but this does not however limit its value.
Hustle culture can get toxic when you start to put your mental health below this idea of constant working
We shouldn't attack someone for wanting to work for their goals when you could get it done in 2, just to say “this project took me 8 hours”? Hustle culture focuses more on quantity than quality. Working is not a competition with other people, it should only be about yourself and your goals. Longer working hours have been scientifically proven to result in poorer mental health and higher levels of anxiety and depression. Hustle culture is a new brand that people are buying into. Working hard is not a bad mindset to have, as long as you are not sacrificing your well-being!
So, what should we do to get out of this mindset? It is essential to maintain a work-life balance, as a tired brain is an unproductive brain. Make sure you take time off work to spend time for yourself and friends (while sticking to government guidelines of course!), take up a hobby, go on a walk, anything! Doing so will allow your mind to recharge. It is slog on a projection for 8 hours
Image: Pixabay @PublicDomainPicture
Image: Pixabay @Comfreak
Turning rejection into redirection
Caitlin Sinclair sheds light on to why rejections doesn't point to an automatic failure Caitlin Sinclair
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ejection is something that everyone will experience in their lifetime. As a law student seeking a training contract at a firm, rejection is something I have grown accustom to. Changing your view of rejection shouldn’t be about no longer feeling disappointed as this is often inevitable, but
It isn’t just about whether you are the right fit for them, it is also about whether they are the right fit for you. rather about how you can use it as a tool to progress going forward. Without rejection, you aren’t able to reflect on your motivations behind applications or your intentions with a specific course of action. Initially, I had applied for several commercial training contracts as this is what I felt was the desirable route after graduation, however, after subsequent rejections I realised that my motivations were entirely wrong. I wasn’t applying because this was something I longed to do as a career but rather because I felt it was something that I should be
Without rejection you aren't able to reflect on your motivation
Image: Instagram @yaoyaomva
doing. There is value in assessing the situation and rejection allows time to reflect on what you want in your career, allowing you to either redirect or improve to meet goals. Working with rejection, rather than against it is essential. This can be done by using rejection as
a tool for personal growth. What did you learn throughout the application process and how will this help going forward? This allows you to grow with the process and adapt your approach in application or interviews. Use the process as an opportunity to explore company’s and firms and learn what you want from them. Although in application processes it feels like you are under a lot of scrutiny, it is a two-way process. What is it about the company you were drawn to, was there anything that didn’t appeal to you? It isn’t just about whether you are the right fit for them, it is also about whether they are the right fit for you. Try and separate yourself from the rejection. It doesn’t mean that you are inadequate, it may just mean that your strengths didn’t align with the weaknesses of their current team to allow for a well-rounded workforce. The fault doesn’t lie with you personally. It may simply be that it wasn’t the right time. O r perhaps there is growing room for you to develop in the next round of applications. You are more than adequate for the right company or firm. Ultimately, give yourself credit for putting yourself out there and know you are better equipped for the next round of applications. Image: Pixabay @Pexels
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Monday 19 October 2020
Lifestyle
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Why it's OK to say 'no' Creating a homeCora Herbert analyses the importance of the word 'no' Cora Herbert
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ormally, my advice to students, especially first-years, is to say yes to everything. I would usually say push yourself, venture out of your comfort zone, take every opportunity that you can. But this year that rule goes out the window and my new message is this: it’s okay to say no! No, you’re not being a buzz kill. You’re not being boring or unadventurous – you're being safe and taking care of yourself which is the most important thing at times like these. Day-to-day life is challenging enough at the moment so there is no need to overwhelm yourself
Each person has their own stance on what they're happy doing or who they're happy seeing
be an anxious person and trying to reduce stressful situations. Or quite simply they just might not feel up to it. All these reasons are perfectly valid as is any other feeling of caution towards ‘breaking the rules’. We all have that worry of what others might think of us. But please believe me when I say that no one will judge you. Honestly. If this year has taught us anything, it’s to be kind and understanding – your friends, new and old, will respect your decisions. Everyone deals with difficult situations differently so there is no need to compare yourself to others. Understand, as the people around you will, the importance of taking time for yourself. Having said all this, there is still an argument for maintaining a sense of ‘normality’ (whatever that might be) by trying your best to keep in touch with people and getting involved with all that university life has to offer. Socialising in one way or another is so important and can be helpful and supportive, but it should never come at the cost of your safety, health of sense of well-being. You know your own boundaries and we have these limits for a reason, so if you’re not comfortable with a situation - as with everything in life – it's always okay to say no.
with situations that will make you feel uncomfortable. The new guidelines about what is and isn’t allowed is as complicated as ever and it seems each person has their own stance on what they’re happy doing or who they’re happy seeing. So be confident in your own boundaries and if you’re asked to do something or go somewhere that’s going to make you anxious, you can say no. There are so many reasons why people may not want to be socialising in the same way as usual – they may have health issues or live with someone who does. They might Image: Pixabay @thisismyurl
away -from -home
Dominic Lee touches on how to create a homely environment in the university space Dominic Lee
M
oving away to uni can be extremely daunting, even if, like me, you've done it a couple of times already. Not only are you leaving your family behind, you're also leaving your room behindthat sanctuary where you feel warm, comfortable and safe. It's also likely that you'll be living in a different place each year, so getting comfortable in a new room is something you'll have to get used to. If you're going into first year especially, you're likely to feel like your halls room doesn't quite feel homely at first. Everyone's room looks the same and they're often quite small, so decorating has to be done efficiently. However, it's important that you don't neglect making your room your own, as coming home to a room you don't feel comfortable in can really kill your mood. In my opinion a uni room should be three things: practical, comfortable and personal. Addressing the first of those, for a room to be practical it has to be somewhere that you're comfortable working in. This is especially important this year, as you're likely to not be in uni very often and the Robbo reopening seems like a distant dream at this point. One of the most important things to making your room practical is keeping your desk tidy. That doesn't mean it has to be bare, but making sure you have enough room for your laptop and notebook is essential. It's also a good idea to have some organisational items such as baskets or stacking trays to keep your stationary in. Having a to do list on something like a hanging whiteboard can also help you to concentrate when essays start to pile up. Something you also shouldn't overlook which
will make your room more practical is having hooks or trinket trays to help organise everyday items. Making your room comfortable is really simple. Something as simple as having some cushions on your bed for when you aren't sleeping and a blanket for cold nights can really make a difference to how you feel when you're in your room. Invest in some good pillows and a warm duvet because the nights can get cold up in the toon and you don't want to be up all night shivering. I struggle to get to sleep quite frequently so I also have some lavender pillow spray which is nice and soothing. Last but not least, making your room personal is arguably the most important of the three. I've surrounded myself with my hobbies, the main one of which is music. I have posters of gigs I've been to and bands that I love. My cushions are also musically themed and I have two Radiohead clocks just so everyone knows what a sad little man I am! My lager poster was given to me by one of my closest friends and my Spuddy and "love bug" were given to me by my mum. Photos of family and friends are also a must. Making your room personal can be a work in progress and although I'd say my room is fairly well decorated I'm definitely not finished with it. I'd like to add some plants to the mix- and hopefully keep them alive longer than a month this year- and I also plan on making some more home accessories. I've kept a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale to turn into a candle and I'm also planning on making some letter bunting out of cardboard beer boxes. very student chic I know. Creating your own home-away-from-home can be a lengthy process. However, it doesn't have to be a stressful one. Making sure that you decorate your room at least partially within the first few days of your arrival can lead to a much happier settling in period. Then, once you've settled in the real fun starts and you can go wild with accessories. In no time at all you'll find that your uni room starts to feel just as cozy as your room at home!
Upon reflection: lessons of my first year five things that, after reflecting on my first year wouldn’t fancy trying out a three hour recipe Molly Taylor gives ofof university (and arguably my first year of being a after attending seven hours of lectures?). With her five most valuable proper adult), I would tell my past self and anyone that in mind, I found that seasoning is a uni else who feels nervous about being a fresher. student’s best friend, making a relatively bland lessons of her first meal slightly more interesting. 1.Everyone is as scared as you 3. Everyone's friendship story is year at University I know it’s hard to believe, but people are just as
Molly Taylor
I
started reading English Literature at Newcastle University in September 2019, after spending some time outside of education on my gap year. Like most university freshers, I was excited but also really nervous about starting my course. Will I like the city? Will I make any friends? Will everyone on my course be much smarter than me? All the usual stuff. This, therefore, is a compiled list
nervous as you, and are also just as desperate to make friends. So, go on, talk to that boy in the corner who’s drinking that disgusting red bull vodka concoction. What’s the worst that can happen? Chances are, if it goes badly, you'll never see him again. Alternatively, (and more likely), you’ll have a nice conversation and discover you’re both recycled origami fanatics, or massively into Psychedelic Christian emo heavy metal
2. Seasoning is...everything Cooking for yourself for the first time can feel daunting. I often found that recipes I had planned were too time consuming and laborious after attending a whole day of university (who knew you
different
People often say you are likely to never see the people you meet in freshers’ week again. This was actually the opposite for me (minus a few people). My closest friends were some of the first people I met during freshers. My point is that you shouldn’t write someone off if they are not completely your cup of tea (or choice of beverage all together). You never know who might be wiping sick off your cheek after your next night out, or, you know... who might be your next best friend
4. Whilst optional things are optional, it's good if you go to them Image: Evie Lake
I found it really useful to meet with or email lecturers if I had concerns about a piece of coursework or an exam. Even if you think you have that essay under control, it's always useful to get feedback and advice from someone who is literally paid to help you.
5. Lastly, you're paying for the degree, not just the resources you are give University tuition is undoubtedly expensive and will put you in debt for some time. I still struggle with the notion that I am paying over £9,000 (pearl clutch) for a service which definitely does not cost that much to provide. Getting angry about it won’t change anything though, and so you’re just going to have to accept that you’re paying for the degree itself, I’m saying this as though I don’t get angry. I’m still fuming, but what can you do? I hope this was useful, and if not, it was at least a cathartic process for me, as I reflect on my first year of university. It sounds like a cliché, but it goes fast, so enjoy it while you can.
Monday 19 October 2020
18
Beauty
THE
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Y2K fashion: why the 'Noughties' style is back Amelia Thorpe discusses the comeback of early 2000s fashion, and reasons for its return. Amelia Thorpe
Y
2K is an abbreviation that means "year 2000". It mainly refers to the global computer glitch of 2000, but also refers to the clothing style of the early 2000s which is marked by its obsession with low-rise jeans, designer logos, tiny sunglasses, and even tinier handbags. From Dior mini-skirts to Juicy Couture trackies, Y2K style is a kitschy miss-match of glamour and tack as seen on iconic noughties celebrities and girl groups including Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Destiny’s Child, and Spice Girls. It was everywhere, proudly flaunted by top models and single mums alike, and it has re-emerged in 2020 to steal the show once again! There was a good decade or so in-between, however, where dressing like this would’ve been considered a crime against all things fashionable, so why has it made such a strong comeback? Well, as we know, fashion is cyclical, Y2K fashion itself is a rehash of typical 90s streetwear but with
copious amounts of runway glamour added to the mix. So it was only a matter of time before the early 2000s became fashionable again, encouraged by pop-culture as per usual, social media, and celebrities, as well as the popularisation of thrifting. Celebrities like Bella Hadid have been sporting Dior’s Saddle bag (a reinvention of the early 2000s original) since 2018, and designer brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci have been making logo mania great again. Even the original noughties icons are making a re-appearance, such as Spice Girls, with their reunion tour back in 2019, bringing attention back to the trend as people reminisce the early 2000s.
...many Gen-Zs might adopt this style due to the nostalgia that surrounds this era of fashion Social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok have also been taken over by this trend, with users sharing their favourite Y2K ‘outfit inspos’, who’ll then take their bucket hats, butterfly clips, and diamante encrusted tracksuits to the streets, making this trend unavoidable. Possibly because of its prevalence on social me-
dia, the trend has been embraced by one generation in particular, Gen-Z. The early 2000s, to a typical Gen-Z, will symbolize a childhood filled with Bratz dolls, Groovy Chick bed sheets, tacky lip balm palettes, and Lelli Kelly shoes. There is an undeniably childish aura to this trend, which explains why many Gen-Z’s might adopt this style due to the nostalgia that surrounds this era of fashion. Furthermore, adopting this style is made easier than ever due to the rise of thrifting, from buying and selling noughties clothes on Depop, to shopping at vintage fairs and charity shops; Y2K fashion is readily available to everyone, hence its mighty comeback. And whether you love it or hate it, the trend is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Instagram:@ _early_2000s_fashion
Brand of the week: Adam Jones Campus Fashion: Sophia Ayub Dominic Lee brings back Brand of the Week with a small sustainable designer combining pubs and streetwear Dominic Lee
M
y brand of the week of the moment is all about championing two things that are very close to my heart- sustainability and the pub. Welsh designer, Adam Jones takes inspiration from local pubsthe ones you might find your dad or your grandad drinking in- and makes clothes that fit the aesthetic. In his collections, you'll find sweater vests, bags and scarves made out of bar towels from beloved beers such as Newcastle Brown Ale, Tetley's and Marston's. My personal favourites are of course the Brown Ale items- it's one of my favourite beers after all- and I have my eye on the scarf should it ever come back in stock. Jones' aesthetic is fun, colourful and delightfully vintage and using bar towels to make clothes out of is not only eco-friendly but unique. The new collection for Spring/Summer 2021 also upcycles items such as tea towels and ribbon that are then made into more sweater vests- which seem to be a mainstay in Jones' collections- along with shorts and dresses. My favourite pieces from the new collection would have to be the leopard print towelling trousers and the distressed Union Jack jumper- with a matching hat designed by Benny Andallo.
Much of Jones' collection- if not all- is unisex which is another positive for potential customers, as a move towards gender neutral fashion is far more inclusive for people interested in wearing Adam Jones.
Jones is pretty much a oneman team Adam Jones is still very much an up-and-comer though, having set up a GoFundMe page which allows his brand to stay afloat. Jones is pretty much a one-man team too, with his designs being made by hand and materials sourced by himself. The designer also owns 50M, a store in the Belgravia area of London which stocks other promising designers alongside himself, and other more established names such as Liam Hodges. Jones also does commission work, so if you've got any old bar towels lying around the house, or a big pile of ribbons then he'd probably love if you sent them his way. So if you want to add a more personal and unique touch to your wardrobe then Adam Jones might just be the brand and the designer for you. Jones is pretty much a oneman team too, with his designs being made by hand and materials sourced by himself. The designer also owns 50M, a store in the Belgravia area of London which stocks other promising designers alongside himself, and other more established names such as Liam Hodges. Jones also does commission work, so if you've got any old bar towels lying around the house, or a big pile of ribbons then he'd probably love if you sent them his way. So if you want to add a more personal and unique touch to your wardrobe then Adam Jones might just be the brand and the designer for you. Instagram:@adamjones_mens_womens
In celebration of my mother’s 55th birthday, I whisked her away to a gorgeously rustic Victorian home up in Edinburgh for the weekend. When shopping for the trip, I had taken great consideration into the potential chilliness we were about to endure. Despite the deceivingly bright days, I was not at all wrong. Upon my mother’s request, we visited River Island as she herself had an eye on a new coat. To my surprise, I stumbled across this gorgeous cable knit co-ord cardigan and top. I picked up the tan (which always seems to be sold out now when browsing), however, it was also available in a beautiful violet tone, as well as the classic black. I paired this with some standard Topshop Joni
I stumbled across this gorgeous cable knit co-ord cardigan and top jeans, (the absolute dream fit when it comes to skinny jeans), a Versace belt, (stolen from my mum’s luggage), and my plain black high-top converse. The co-ord sparked particular interest, resulting in several Instagram DM’s inquiring on the co-ord. Photo: Sophia Ayub
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Monday 19 October 2020
Beauty
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Rare Beauty: rare inclusivity Lets Tik-Tok about fashion Despite scepticism, Georgia
Morson learns that Selena Gomez's beauty line truly is Rare Georgia Morson
W
hen Selena Gomez first announced the launch of her makeup brand to her 190 million Instagram followers, I found myself amongst many sceptical observers. After all, it was nothing new; just another celebrity trying her hand at cosmetics. Little did I know then that Rare Beauty was no ordinary makeup business. The rising number of singers, actresses and Instagram models branching out into the makeup world has made the creation of makeup nothing but a cash grab, but Selena’s unique mission with Rare Beauty has set her aside from the rest. The debut picture on Rare Beauty’s Instagram which declares that “You are Rare”, and the caption that clearly states the brand’s aim to “shape conversations around beauty, self-acceptance and mental health” encourages us to perceive the brand as one that truly cares about the wellbeing of its consumers. Not only does Rare Beauty offer helplines and useful resources on its website, but its online presence also features discussions regarding mental health, with #WeAreRare dedicated to destigmatising mental health and building a supportive community. What’s more, the brand has even gone as far as delegating a Mental Health Council to “help
guide [its] strategy”. This focus on supporting mental health is further highlighted by Rare Beauty’s impact fund, which aims to donate $100 million to mental health services in the next ten years. In fact, from launch-day the brand kickstarted this mission by donating 1% of every product sale to such services, proving that the company’s ambitious promises are, slowly but surely, coming to fruition. Selena’s brand also promotes a refreshingly positive message regarding makeup and beauty: Rare Beauty is about “accepting who you are - and finding the comfort in your imperfections”, about “breaking down unrealistic standards of perfection” and about makeup that is “made to feel good in, without hiding what makes you unique.” With more and more makeup brands promoting full coverage products, Rare Beauty encourages us all to practice self-love and acceptance. In a climate where only 28% of men and 26% of women are satisfied with how they look, Selena’s message that makeup is simply an “accessory to compliment what’s beautiful about you” couldn’t be more valuable. Whilst Rare Beauty’s mission to destigmatise mental health and discover self-love is incredibly important, another crucial element to the makeup brand is its inclusivity. At Rare Beauty, you will find your products 100% vegan and cruelty-free, but also in 48 different shades when it comes to foundation and concealer. This extensive shade range for a debut makeup brand can only be challenged by Rihanna’s ground-breaking Fenty range, which today contains a total of 50 different shades. But enough about Fenty. In addition to the diverse range of foundation and concealer shades, Selena’s products are also disability-friendly. The Rare Beauty tools, “designed to mirror the shape of your finger”, along with the rounded tops of the product bottles, make makeup application easier for those with limited joint movement. Taking this into consideration, Selena’s two-year project, Rare Beauty, is nothing if not an industry gamechanger. YouTube: RareBeauty
Sophia Ayub talks facts, figures and personal opinion on the impact of break-out social media app, Tik-Tok Sophia Ayub
A
s unforgiving as my initial attempt at a pun may be, many of us know the app for its comical, cringe-worthy content. However, those of us who have fallen victim to the apps enticement will know that there is so much more to its content, proving to be surprisingly informative – no seriously, I have for sure learned a thing or two! But what does this have to do with fashion? So what’s the big deal with Tik-Tok? The app's content consists of sharing short video’s, incorporating smart editing, music and a multitude of filters. With an audience of 800 million active users in 2020 (Datareportal, 2020). The app ranks as the ninth most popular social network site, with 33 million downloads in a single quarter from the Apple store (Q1, 2019). At this incredible figure, Tik-Tok beats fellow social media apps Instagram, YouTube and Whatsapp. Many would see this as no surprise, viewing Tik-Tok as the social platform ‘representative’ for Generation Z, with 41% of users aged between 16 and 24 (Globalwebindex, 2019). Those figures speak for themselves, there’s no denying that the globally celebrated app is taking the world by storm-but what has any of this got to do with fashion? Going back to the app’s fastpaced business, capitalising off the creation and sharing of short videos, it only makes sense that the social media beast has boomed within the fastfashion industry. This includes numerous brands which increase marketing interaction and causes an influx in brand sponsorship of influencers via paid promotions and collaborations. Cheap and chic brand Shein is one of many who have jumped onto the bandwagon, with a whopping 876.9k following, as well as 7.5 Million Likes (Friday 2nd October 2020). It’s increasing interaction with its
clientele exemplifies the unlimited business potential which the app offers. The never-ending evolvement of fashion trends can prove to be quite overwhelming, as well as expensive. What Tik-Tok has enabled is fashion fanatic creators to share their individual style and offer advice, which, in turn, allows them to grow their audience and capitalise from their following. In regards to the average user, followers are able to have that free insight on how to not only dress, but accessorise, style, and most importantly save. This is where Shein comes in, with its competitive pricing and trendy stock, its collaboration with influencers offers an accessible means-especially so amongst the ongoing pandemic-of providing users with the means to embrace trends, and even creating their own style; whilst supporting the average individual's bank account. Love it or hate it, Tik-Tok is making moves, and that includes in the fashion industry, bringing us all one step closer to inspiring an at-home style
Instagram: @thenavarose
How I dress versus how I want to dress Margarita Ivanova opens up our new series with how her heels-to-flats journey helped her take back her power. Margarita Ivanova
— Fashion and Beauty sub-editor
I
used to be the kind of girl who always wore high-heeled shoes. For years, I would slip them on without fail and click-clack my way out of the front door, ready to take on the world. The truth is, I’ve spent my whole life waiting to be old enough to wear heels, so I couldn’t imagine that there would come a day when I would want to stop. Ever since I was little, I dreamed of wearing shoes that would make me feel tall, graceful and, more importantly, feminine. Looking back, I don’t know why I associated high heels with femininity. Perhaps it was because, as a young girl, I wanted to look just like Barbie — and none of my Barbies ever had anything but high heels. Or maybe it was the fact that all of the women that I ever saw on TV wore high heels, Photo: Margarita Ivanova
too. They made wearing them look so effortlessly natural that I couldn’t help believing that it was, in fact, a natural choice of shoe for women. This fed into my notion of what femininity is and how it can be expressed, so much so that h i g h heels became t h e epitome of feminine beauty and the p owe r that came with it. I started to believe that women have to dress a certain way to fit the carefully constructed, and perpetually controlled image of femininity, so I wore dresses, skirts, high heels — and just about any-
thing else that would meet the expectations of my gender identity. Yet it was always high heels that dictated the way I saw myself. Without them, I felt powerless, no longer beautiful. But what’s the point of power, if it causes you nothing but pain? I thought that pain was the price of power. After all, some women go through many painful procedures to feel beautiful, and I was no different. I once spent an entire day walking around in a pair of heels that left my feet blistering and bleeding so much that the scars left took months to heal. That didn’t stop me from wearing those shoes again, though. Wearing heels until my feet looked like they’ve been through war was just a normal day for me. I didn’t mind. It took me a long time to understand that femi-
I never thought that I could feel so confident, so feminine — and in a pair of Converse! ninity can be defined in many different ways, that there are no rules — only my own. I can’t remember the day that everything changed, but eventually I realised that the only thing more painful than wearing heels was pretending that they empowered me. Even though wearing heels did add height and a level of grace and sophistication, I started to question if I truly needed them to feel beautiful, powerful, and feminine. So, enough was enough: I ordered one pair of flat shoes (you know, just to try it), and soon I was buying another, and another, and another. It was nice
to be able to walk and not be so painfully aware of my feet all the time. I never thought that I could feel so confident, so feminine — and in a pair of Converse! My sense of clothing style was beginning to change too. I learned that I really enjoy wearing trousers and that, actually, I like wearing trousers more. Don’t get me wrong, I still like dresses and skirts, I just no longer feel confined to them. And as for heeled shoes: who knows if I’ll ever wear them again? If I do, I won’t let them define me, my self-worth, or my sense of beauty. No pair of shoes should ever be given that much power.
Writers, This year we would like you to write about your own fashion journeys, and send them in to us. We would also love to see some original images of your outfits too - such as before and afters of how you developed your style! Send your images to: c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk
Monday 19 October 2020
20
Travel
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COURIER
The ultimate guide to your UK staycation and people, but you should make sure that you plan and book any activities in advance. Organising activities once you get to your holiday destination is both frustrating and challenging because it can feel like you’re wasting time, especially now that you need advance tickets to most venues.
Caitie explores our best options when it comes to staycations Caitie Woolridge
S
taycations can be just as much fun as travelling abroad. The beauty of a staycation is that it can range from a day trip, a city break or a fortnight-long tour of the UK’s best sites. The UK is an incredible place to go on holiday because it caters to such a wide variety of holidaymakers: the historical hunters, the day trippers, those searching for the thrill of a city break, and those that simply want to relax; a UK staycation is perfect for everyone. The most important thing to do when planning a staycation is figuring out the exact type of holiday you want. Planning any holiday is determined by three things: the price, the place and the people. The price is probably the most crucial part of planning your staycation because it determines almost the entirety of your holiday from how long you can spend in an area to the type of holiday you can afford. Honestly, a week in London is not exactly ideal on a student budget. A long weekend in Manchester? A lot more doable. Who do you want to accompany you on your staycation? Your friends, partner, family or a solo mission? The people that you plan to go on holiday with will determine where you go. You should organise a chat to figure out exactly what everybody wants to get out of their staycation because there is nothing worse than having somebody who wants a chill few days in the forest whilst you want to go on a bender in the city. Figure it out before you start googling woodland cabins! The place is obviously determined by the price
Quiet staycations: Lake District and Somerset
Day trips near Newcastle: York and Edinburgh Since York is a short train ride away, it is ideal for people that just want to go on a day trip. You can take a tour of York’s Chocolate Story, or walk through the picturesque Shambles which is full of cafes and little shops. There is a myriad of activities and events going on in York such as the Van
Gogh immersive experience. If you go north of Newcastle, Grassmarket in Edinburgh often has free events going on. That area used to hold public executions, and now has a pub named The Last Drop referring to the final hanging of the 18th century. It's fair to say that a staycation might not be the holiday that you hoped for, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t still be a great break away.
The countryside is an excellent choice for a staycation if you crave peace and quiet. Cottages, lodges and B&Bs in the countryside are some of the best places to take a few deeps breaths, take long walks or pick up a book. The Lake District is one of the most well-known northern locations for a countryside break because of its beautiful mountains and forests. The Lake District holds a National Park with activities such as treetop treks or renting a boat for hire available. Likewise, Somerset has lots of holiday cottages and, as it is cider country, it has tours and tastings of cider farms available. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture, Somerset is also home to the Roman baths.
City breaks: Cardiff and Belfast Cardiff might be a bit of a trek from Newcastle, but it is worth spending a few days in such a fun place. Among the top things to do in Cardiff, booking one of their many escape rooms would definitely be on that list along with treetop adventure golf. In addition, the city has a whole host of history running through it with Cardiff Castle and the spooky ghost tours that are offered. Belfast is a small city that still has a lot to offer in terms of its history; it is home to Belfast Titanic which provides visitors with a ‘Titanic experience’ including interactive galleries. You can also go on a coach trip to the infamous Giant's Causeway.
Image: Wikimedia common, Giorgio Galeotti
Travel with me: Cinque Terre, Italy Karolina takes us on a magical tour around Cinque Terre, a hidden gem of Northwest Italy Karolina Kokoszko
T
he current situation is not ideal for travelling, so I’m reminiscing about my trip to Italy this summer. I’ve seen a lot of magical places there, but today I’m going to tell you about the most beautiful one – Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre means ‘five lands’ and it’s a region of five small villages on the hills of Northwest Italy. We got there by train from Pisa and stayed in La Spezia, which is not one of the five villages, but it’s a really good place to book a room/apartment, since it’s not as expensive as the actual Cinque Terre. Manarola First village we visited was Manarola. There’s a restaurant with a gorgeous view called Nessum Dorma, where we had lunch and drank Aperol Spritz. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit – when it gets hot, it’s tempting to jump into the crystal clear water from the rocks. That’s what we did after wandering around for a while. Riomaggiore Then, we jumped on a train to another town – Riomaggiore. We watched the sunset sitting on the rocks, surrounded by tons of people enjoying golden hour with wine and pizza. The village looked so beautiful in the golden light of the sunset and I have to admit, Riomaggiore may be my favourite out of all 5 towns. Corniglia The next day we woke up early and headed to Corniglia. It’s unique, as you need to climb about 400 stairs to get to town from the train station. There’s also a bus, which is free if you purchased an all-day train ticket. My friend decided to climb
up the stairs, while I took the bus and she got lost! Somehow, she ended up way above Corniglia, on top of the hill and couldn’t find her way around. She was wandering around vineyards, with no phone coverage and mobile data for a few hours. Finally, after walking nearly 15 kilometers, she managed to get back to Corniglia. It was scary at the moment, but now makes for a good story. Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza She was exhausted, so we went to Monterosso al Mare – the only village that has a beach. Monterosso is the least breath-taking town, as there are no colourful houses hanging off a cliff, but it’s great to relax at the beach. We ended the day in Vernazza, where we got pizza, bought tiny, cute bottles of Aperol Spritz and watched the sunset. In the morning we had to say goodbye to Cinque Terre. But not to Italy! We got on a train and headed to Florence, where I may have met my soulmate… But that’s a story for another time! I’ll never forget those two days in Cinque Terre, filled with picturesque views, delicious gelato and watching sunsets. I highly recommend visiting this place when travel becomes more possible, and if you have any questions or want some tips, don’t hesitate to text me. Have you heard of Cinque Terre before?
Image: Karolina Kokoszko
I'll never forgot those two days in Cinque Terre, filled with picturesque views, delicious gelato and watching sunsets.
Add to your degree with the ncl+ Award Clubs and Societies
Part-time jobs Volunteering
Being at University is so much more than your course; it’s also about being part of something, making friends, playing sports, volunteering and learning from new experiences. These extra-curricular activities and the skills you develop through them help make you more employable. By doing the Award you will not only gain accreditation for your activities, you will also learn how to sell your skills and stand out to employers. Find out more about the ncl+ Award and register online: www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/awards
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Monday 19 October 2020
22
Music
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COURIER
Forget festivals! This was the summer of streams Our writers discuss the best virtual concerts from music's weirdest summer ever
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Leo Dawson
harli’s recent record is practically tailor-made for virtual performance, leaning into the PC music genre of her peers and giving an upbeat and appropriately glitchy live performance for the Boiler Room streaming platform. Since Charli XCX’s latest album how i’m feeling now (sic) was written, produced and released during lockdown as a musical exploration of how Charli feels during quarantine, it seems appropriate that the first live performance of the record was a virtual one. A £5 entry fee and exclusive access to limited edition merch meant the livestream’s chat was packed with fellow listeners and despite some expected lag and buffering, Charli and Boiler Room pulled off a great live event. With her boyfriend acting as a cameraman, Charli performed eight fan-favourite hits from how i’m feeling now with the technical mishaps actually seeming quite well suited to the glitchcore and hyperpop sound of Dylan Brady and AG Cook’s production and Charli’s own vocoder-heavy vocals. It was definitely a makeshift performance with the popstar dancing around her living room in sunglasses, capris and an oversized shirt but Charli made up for the often unpolished nature of livestreamed performances with incomparable high energy, wrapping up her performance with an intimate Q&A session that would often go ignored by many artists. Charli has gone on to perform at other virtual concerts, such as producer AG Cook’s ‘Appleville’ alongside Kero Kero Bonito, Hannah Diamond and 100 gecs, the latter of which even holding their own virtual concert called ‘Square Garden’ on a Minecraft server during lockdown.
Grace Lazzaro
Leonie Bellini
orey Taylor. A name that some of you might be looking at and think to yourself, “Who? Jeez, Grace, you’ve lost me once again.” Then some of you- I’m looking at you my lovely fellow metalheads- who instantly shoot up at the sound of that name because you know he is arguably one of the best and most talented singers today. For those of you who fell in the former category, Corey Taylor is a metal/ hard rock singer, most notably known for his involvement in popular bands Stone Sour and Slipknot. Recently, however, Taylor branched away from his bands a bit to release a solo album, CMFT, on 2 October. I won’t go into my usual rants of how amazing this album is as the point of this article is to talk about the live stream concert he put on last Friday, but I will say no matter what type of music you listen to, you must go listen to this album right now. I don’t even care if you don’t finish this article to go to your music app as long as you go listen to it. Anyways, now onto the actual point of this article. As I said, last Friday, Corey Taylor, like many other artists, put on a virtual concert for fans as, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, live concerts are tragically unable to happen. However, Taylor did not pull back for this show. Though it was online, he somehow made it feel like you were right there in the pit with him. From stage effects to continuing to speak to the 'crowd' to his innate connection to his fans, I was transported out of my bedroom and to his concert which was a truly amazing experience. Taylor also didn’t hold out on his actual performance either. He sang his heart out and jumped around the stage just like he would at any show. My inability to be able to go to concerts has probably been the most difficult adjustment for me with this pandemic. But thanks to Corey Taylor and his willingness to go all out for a virtual concert for his fans, I was able to experience that inexplicably joyful feeling once again.
he highlight of those one-walk-a-day lockdown weeks came every Friday for me, in the form of Frankie Cosmos (the band name of New York musician Greta Kline) livestreams, broadcast late-night on Instagram for ten weeks. The best parts of Cosmos’ songs have always been the songwriting itself, the humorous observations of lyrics, odes to pets and best friends, wrapped up in catchy melodies and delivered with a skilful mix of sincerity and wit. This all translates perfectly to an Instagram stream which is lo-fi by its bandwidth-dependent nature, the wavering sound quality unimportant when all you really need is a voice and a few notes on an instrument. Her bedroompop songs sounded perfect and intimate exactly where they were penned. The lively comments (arguably half of the fun of a livestream) were full of people reciting their favourite lyrics in all-caps, and inside jokes being created in real time through phone keyboard typos across the world. Beloved deep Bandcamp cuts (‘Be Normal Frankie’, ‘Solitaire’) were played for the first time in years, the set lists handwritten based off fan requests from an immeasurably extensive back catalogue. In the absence of bandmates, Cosmos’ family joined in, with her parents and brother offering harmonies and keyboard accompaniment they’d only practiced that day. After the music was over, the stream turned collaborative, with split-screen conversations with friends and bandmates, including chats with keyboardist and merch designer Lauren Martin, instantly entertaining and hilarious as only best friends can be. In the absence of real-life connection, this was a novel way to learn more about the people behind the music, and ask them the stupid (mainly food-related) questions you’d always wondered about. These sweet bursts of music stripped back to its joyful bones gave my weird lockdown weeks structure, and offset some of that live music longing in the most playful way possible.
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Images: Pixabay, Instagram (@charli_xcx, @frankiecombos, @ coreytaylor)
Interview: Will Farquarson of pop-rock quartet Bastille Bassist Will Farquarson spills his favourite moments in the pop-rock four-piece. Finlay Holden — Music sub-editor
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astille are one of the UK’s biggest indiepop exports – having topped the charts, dropped 3 killer LPs and teased us with 2 big new singles, Will from Bastille shares his highlights from a decade in the iconic four-piece. FH: Hi Will! How have you been doing over the last couple of months? WF: Hello! Yeah, I’m good, thanks – as good as anyone can be doing in this strange, strange time, anyway. FH: Have you guys been able to get back together as a band recently? WF: As lockdown eased enough so that groups could meet up again, we were able to get straight back in the studio thankfully, yes. We’ve also been busy doing some radio promo for our new music, and have been able to get in a couple of virtual performances – sadly without any crowds for the moment. FH: At least you were prepared enough to have new music to drop! The lyrics to ‘survivin’ hit hard at the moment. WF: I’m not sure what specifically the lyrics are in reference to, but it was actually
written way before all this COVID stuff and it tries to reflect the human condition in more general circumstances. I think that’s the magic of music really – a lot of the meaning is given by the listener, and not what the musician necessarily intended, so it’s quite amazing that this song has actually ended up being even more meaningful to people given the current circumstances. FH: Either way, it’s been great having some new tracks from Bastille during lockdown. Your last single, ‘WYGD??’, was more of a rocker; is that something you enjoy as the band’s guitarist/bassist?
WF: Yeah it was good to have another rock tune, we’ve done a few now and we do sound rockier live. The guitars on this song are actually from Graham Coxon [Blur], which was an absolute honour. It was honestly kind of crazy to me to have such an iconic guitarist play something for us, especially someone you’ve been a fan of for like a decade. FH: What’s your biggest success been since you came together?
WF: One of the things I’m most proud of in Bastille’s career, though, is that we have never “sold out”. Yes, we have done some poppy tracks, but we’ve been offered some deals over the years that we’ve turned down; we don’t do things just to try to make money, we do them because it makes the best art and that’s what we’ve always focused on.
There’s a real hole in the culture of our country at the moment, and it needs filling right back up as soon as possible. FH: What do you think about Rishi Sunak, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, recently saying that musicians struggling to survive through COVID should retrain for other jobs? WF: Well yeah, it’s just not a fair thing to say at all, is it? I feel bad mainly for our crew… as a band, we can go for a while without putting out a new album and we’ll be fine, but our roadies are really not in a great situation at the moment, as I’m sure you can imagine. They’re vital to us, we couldn’t succeed without them, and so suggesting they retrain to do something else now seems a bit silly. I do worry that we’re losing something culturally – with all our museums and theatres being closed, as well as there obviously being no live gigs, there’s a real hole in the culture of our country at the moment, and it needs filling right back up as soon as possible. That cannot happen if all our creatives have been forced to leave the industry. Images: Chuff Media, YouTube(BASTILLEvideos)
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Monday 19 October 2020
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Interview: Jonathan Higgs of Everything Everything Lead singer Jon Higgs talks his brand new album, the climate crisis and urban myths Dominic Lee
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anchester’s Everything Everything have always had something a little bit weird about them. Their unpredictability and experimentation is their USP, which, in the hands of another band would come off as inauthentic or unoriginal. The art-pop quartet’s latest offering RE-ANIMATOR certainly fits the description, with its references to Purple Aki and internet trolls the latest in a line of abstract concepts that the band have explored. However, RE-ANIMATOR is an album steeped in duality which for lead singer Jonathan Higgs is the difference between reality and myth… DL- Hi Jon! Thanks for taking the time to talk to me this morning! How are you doing today? JH- I’m feeling a little groggy, but I always am. DL- So your latest album Re-Animator recently reached #5 in the UK charts and topped the UK independent charts. How does it feel to get that kind of recognition? JH- It feels great! We’ve had number five twice before, so it’s a feeling we know but it’s not one that we would ever turn up our noses at. It’s fucking amazing to be honest! To be in the top five. Being in the top ten’s great! If you told me back in 1999 that I would be in a chart battle with Doves and Marilyn Manson… If you told 15-year-old me that it would’ve blown my mind!
I tried to make a record that was about bigger things than politics and fighting. DL- Going on to your words then, ‘Big Climb’ makes reference to the climate crisis. In the song you say that you’re “not afraid that it’ll kill us,
you’re afraid that it won’t”. What did you mean by that? JH- I think it’s just the ultimate “fuck you” to the generations that have created the problem. Mine included obviously. I guess I was getting tired of seeing someone like Greta having to exist at all. 15-year-olds trying to stop us from fucking the world is incredibly depressing and I thought back to when I was 15 and things weren’t really any different then. It just wasn’t quite as bad but I remember feeling really resentful that I had to make sacrifices and I had to solve this thing and I wasn’t allowed to throw my unrecyclable coke can away or whatever ridiculous thing 15-year-old me cared about. I just felt like, you know what, a real teenager isn’t gonna be going “please save the world” they’re gonna be saying “you know what fuck off I hope this does kill us all, it’s your fault”. That’s how I felt when I was a teenager, I wasn’t mature enough. I was nihilistic and I didn’t care and I thought there’s probably a load of kids out there that feel like that now. This is a song for them because no one else is going to sing it. DL- Would you say that writing a song like that came naturally to you? Or do you prefer your more abstract songs? JH- That was very natural. To be honest the chorus line was something that someone said to me about suicide. They said I’m not afraid that the suicide attempt will kill me I just hope it does. I thought that was so devastating and I remembered and sort of recontextualised it into this climate thing. I think the abstractions are only there because I’m interested in lots of disparate things rather than trying to make it weird. All my songs are always about something weird anyway.
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Joe Smith
ince the start of lockdown, music hasn’t really been the same. Legions of deflated arwtists are having to cancel shows and festival slots not knowing when they’ll be able to perform live again. Many have turned to virtual concerts but others remain just as in the dark as us, their main source of income now more of an idea than a job. Some venues have closed their doors for the last time and musicians are being forced to take up new careers in this dreary covid-centric dystopia. With very little funding going into one of the biggest industries in the UK, music is struggling. In the ‘Music By Numbers’ 2019 report it was found that the music industry in the UK was worth a staggering 5.2 billion, thus doing wonders for the economy. So, why now, when the music industry needs help has the idiotic governemnt turned a blind eye. Nevertheless, it’s not all doom, gloom and irresponsible government officials.The ‘Let The Music Play’ campaign. Started earlier this year, this campaign aims to ask the government the important questions of when will the music industry get the support it needs? If pubs are open, why aren’t venues? This campaign spurred the government to give a total of £1.57 billion to the arts industries across the UK. This money would be used to keep venues open, for the time being, but it’s likely that
DL- ‘Lord of the Trapdoor’ makes reference to internet trolls. Is that something that affects you as a band? JH- No, we never get trolled. I don’t think we’re big enough for people to bother! I do obviously see a huge amount of it on things like reddit. When I talk about trolls I’m not really out there saying “fuck you guys, I hate you, what are you doing? You’re so lame”. I’m usually painting them sympathetically or I’m even saying I’m a bit of a troll myself. Or that I
could be like them if I didn’t watch out. I understand you is usually what I’m saying to trolls.
I love local boogie men. I really like the way they spring up in every community DL- So it’s not like a long letter to Anthony Fantano asking why he didn’t give you a ten? JH- He didn’t like the production on ‘In Birdsong’, we did that on purpose you idiot! I asked for that song to sound like it was broken! DL- Last question, you’ve got a tour coming up next year so where are you most looking forward to playing and why is it Newcastle? JH- Well I was born in Newcastle and I know it very well and I love it dearly. We haven’t played there in a long time so it probably will be Newcastle! All my family and friends will be there and we don’t play it as much as we should. The best gig of all is gonna be any gig if it happens!
DL- Speaking of those more abstract songs, “It was a Monstering” lists eight monsters and
Images: Instagram (@e_e_)
The government's mistreatment of music Joe Smith discusses the recent unfair treatment of the UK's music industry
urban myths in its lyrics and you also explore similar themes on “Black Hyena”. Where did the inspiration behind that come from? JH- I think it’s a sort of underlying psychological self-image of being not a great person and that was my way of expressing it. Viewing all these monsters like they were my friends or just that I was a monster among them, I was in that crowd. Putting urban myths in there like Purple Aki or whatever, I like the line between reality and myth. I mean he’s a real guy as far as I’m aware but he’s also got this kind of mythical status and I love that. I love local boogie men, you know like moth man or whatever. I really like the way they spring up in every community, in every part of the world we still have our monsters that haunt areas and I sometimes feel a bit like that.
if more isn’t done then the arts industry as a whcould crumble. However, despite this funding and after distracting the masses with the “Eat in to Help Out” campaign and attempting to become a so called “Covid Hero”, chancellor Rishi Sunak dropped the bombshell that he believed those in the entertainment industries should go and retrain themselves in other careers. In other words, he gave a big fuck you the thousands of practicing and aspiring musicians and artists across the UK, showing that he doenst care about anything that won’t currently make the country any money.
If pubs are open, why aren’t venues?
This idiotic and selfish viewpoint has struck many with worry, musicians and fans a like. Why should someone who’s spent years and years honing their craft and getting themselves into a good position retrain? It makes no sense, and is an incredibly dangerous and selfish mindset to hold. No one could’ve predicted Covid-19, the government isn’t at fault for the disease, but they are at fault. The way the government has handled this pandemic is selfish and embarrassing. Due to this, many industries are at stake, and the fate of the music industry is currently, on very thin ice. Image: UK Live Music
Red Rum Club The Hollow of Humdrum
Joji Nectar
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Tom Moorcroft – Head of Sport erhaps infamous YouTuber turned lo-fi icon Joji has graced the dull year which 2020 has been with his second studio album, Nectar. Starting with perhaps the biggest song of not only this album but his discography, ‘Sanctuary’ reached critical acclaim after it’s release in mid 2019 with it’s ideal fusion of lo-fi and sci-fi. Accompanied by a Star-Trek inspired music video, this track is 3 minutes of powerful, contrastingly idyllic melodies and emphatic vocals which elevate the listeners to a whole other level. When I had the pleasure of seeing him perform the track live at Leeds in 2019, which now seems like a distant memory, I clung on to every lyric, particularly “Pull me oh-so close // Cos you never know // Just how long our lives will be”. Other smashing singles include ‘Run’, released earlier this year with it’s stripped back, acoustic vibes, which was followed by ‘Gimme Love’. The latter may have one of the greatest music videos of 2020 (seriously, if you haven’t watched it you really should), but it’s visual partnership only works to support the driven and upbeat percussion of the trap-inspired track, which crescendos into a symphony of euphoria and melancholy . If his first album wasn’t enough to transform the minds of those who only saw him as a YouTubeartist, then this second album has surely committed Joji, or George Miller, to a status in the music industry he’s deserving of. This fresh talent has a lot more to explore, discover and share.
Mark Narayn-Lee
ed Rum Club's The Hollow of Humdrum is a resounding portrait of contemporary culture, through its critiques of the imposed implications of the monolithic mass media and, thereby, media’s affects on relationships. Through its very medium as an album, a deconstructive dimension is demonstrated, which is recognised in the lyrics, giving an ironic but comforting feel. Album opener, ‘The Elevation’, provides a thesis statement which umbrellas all the themes present from start to finish; it achieves its title through its danceability and light-heartedness, as if its an invitation to a party that everyone is welcome to. Following are the songs ‘Kids Addicted’ and ‘Vivo’; with punkish lyrics, they describe a spectral existence becoming increasingly homogenised by digitalisation. The repercussions of this on relations is explored on ‘Ballerino’ and ‘Favourite Record’. Both tracks compliment one another with their opposite moods but similar message of the transcendental quality of music. This is expressed with the desire to dance or by religiously listening to a certain album. The conscious choice for conventional instrumentation, grounds Red Rum Club in an earthly quality. By not strictly being revolutionary, the music stands alongside the historical tradition of rootsy music, against the dominant ideologies that wish to censor and control.
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Monday 19 October 2020
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Newcomer Iman Vellani to star as Ms Marvel for Disney+ Leo Dawson tells us all about the latest addition to the MCU
Leo Dawson
— Lifestyle sub-editor
Image: @Jorge_Molinam, 7ate9comics on Instagram
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he 18-year-old will be the first actress to portray fan-favourite shapeshifter Kamala Khan AKA Ms Marvel in liveaction, headlining her very own series on Disney’s streaming service.
It's a big step for inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has found its newest superhero in unknown Canadian actress Iman Vellani, set to become Marvel Studios’ first live-action Muslim hero, Ms Marvel, on Disney+. The casting for Ms Marvel has been highly anticipated by MCU fans, ever since the announcement of the show by studio president Kevin Feige at 2019’s D23 Expo with many expecting an established actress to bag the role. However, with zero credits currently to her name, Vellani is expected to make a spectacular debut in the Disney+ show set for 2021. Kamala Khan first appeared in the pages of Marvel comics in 2013 and has quickly gone on to become a favourite of comic-book readers, appearing in several animated Marvel projects and as a lead character in Square Enix’s 2020 Avengers game. Both praised and criticised for their portrayal of a Muslim PakistaniAmerican teenage girl, Marvel has ensured Kamala is at the forefront of many of their projects so it is no surprise we are now getting a live-action version of the character. Hopefully, she will breathe new life into the MCU after the milestone instalment of Avengers Endgame (2019).
The behind-the-camera talent for Ms Marvel is just as diverse, with Sex Education writer and British comedian, Bisha K. Ali, in her first run as showrunner. Alongside her are Bad Boys for Life (2020) directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi who will head up the first two episodes of the Disney+ show. This continues Marvel Studios’ shift towards diversifying crew as well as cast members, allowing those of marginalised groups to tell their own stories on camera, rather than being represented by the same pool of white men. While Iman Vellani may not be an established actress, she is certainly an MCU fan. Her Letterboxd account highlights Iron Man (2008) as one of her favourite movies. And despite a 2/5 star review of 2019’s Captain Marvel, Vellani writes that those stars are not for Brie Larson’s highlycriticised performance as Carol Danvers because she would “sacrifice (her) own life” for the Academy Award winner. This will be something Marvel fans will be excited to hear as Kamala Khan idolises Larson’s character, Carol Danvers, in the comic-books, even taking up Danvers’ previous mantle of ‘Ms Marvel’ as a show of respect. As a result, it can be expected that Kamala Image: IMDb may make an appearance in the sequel to Captain Marvel, currently set for 2022. Vellani is also a superhero in
her own right, selected from a pool of young film enthusiasts for Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF’s) Next Wave Committee in 2019.
Marvel is finally starting to use its amazing roster of female characters The committee focuses on diversifying the film industry’s representation of marginalised groups and when interviewed, Iman expressed her love of TIFF’s And Then We Danced, a queer coming-ofage film (she also spoke about how she much she loved Iron Man.) Ms Marvel is the latest in a growing list of female-led Disney+ MCU shows, with Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black, Perry Mason) recently announced as the titular character in She-Hulk (release date TBA) and Elizabeth Olsen’s WandaVision set to release before the end of 2020. It is a long-awaited development for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to tap into the cinematic potential of its many amazing female characters. It infamously took a decade of movies for a female Marvel superhero to headline her own solo film, the aforementioned Captain Marvel. Hopefully, the positive response to Maslany and especially Iman Vellani’s casting will encourage Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios to continue diversifying their upcoming slate of cinematic ventures on the big and small screens.
Preview: The Gentlemen Review: Netflix's Julie and t Kaitlyn Maracle
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— Gaming sub-editor
uy Ritchie’s smash hit action-comedy, The Gentlemen (2020), is due to be given the silver screen treatment, all thanks to Miramax. The Gentlemen (2020) was the first films I saw this year, and it quickly became one of my favourites. Packed with a stellar cast (which in my humble opinion no one asked for) and hilarious offbeat humour, the film seemed to be pretty much a guaranteed success. Banking over $100 million at the box office, many wondered what was next for Ritchie’s newest project. Turns out, production giant Miramax saw the potential in the backstabbing comedic drama of the plot line, so much so that they’re planning on a TV series. Guy Ritchie will be returning to direct, alongside Matthew McConaughey, who will be reprising his role as the American kingpin Mickey Pearson. It is unknown if any fellow stars will be returning to their roles.
series could go, especially since Pearson’s character still hasn’t managed to sell on his drug empire. A number of questions remain unanswered, which fans are hoping will be answered. My big question has got to be is Fletcher even telling the truth? Due to an unreliable narrator, the viewer is often left unsure as to whether Fletcher is telling the truth. On more than one occasion he is caught lying about what ‘happened’, so is any of this real? Or just a story Fletcher is pitching to some Hollywood big-shots? Hopefully, we’ll find out soon.
There are so many directions this show can go in, especially with a drug empire still to sell Many viewers and critics found The Gentlemen to be cringeworthy, crude and crass in its comedy and visual techniques, but I for one disagree completely. The humour is funny and imaginative, especially when we’re guided through the film by Hugh Grant’s quirky and surreal narration. The only common critique of the film that I do agree with, and hope the TV show does away with, is the number of weirdly placed and uncomfortable racial jokes. I’m very excited to see where Miramax decide to go with a sequel, and even more so that the original director, Ritchie, and McConaughey are set to return. There are so many directions in which this
Arnojya Shree is a phan-girl for the newest Netflix Original, Julie and the Phantoms
Arnojya Shree
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usic is such an inherent part of my life that it is almost impossible to be apart from it at times. If microchips are a part of our dystopian future, then I would surely get it custom made to play music as a background track at all times. But why am I telling you this? Only because Julie and her Phantoms have everything to do with it. The new Netflix show is the sweetest way to begin this spooky month. Moreover, the show has outdone itself in terms of providing us with a nostalgic narrative and is the best throwback for Gen-Z. The premise follows Julie Molina, a high school student who is dismissed from the music program of her school. Even with the constant persuasion of her best friend, Flynn, she is unable to face the music, quite literally due to the grief of her mother’s death. In the aftermath of packing up her house, especially her mother’s studio, she discovers a band called Sunset Curve. The ghostly trio is brought back to the earth plane after Julie plays their music. The show follows the musical impact which Julie
Every episode features at least one catchy song in relation to the episode topic
Image: IMDb
and her Phantom friends have on each other’s lives. This slightly Halloween themed Netflix Original Series might involve another high school story than what we’re used to, but the songs make it so worthwhile. Does that ring a bell? No? Well, a
fellow film-tv-fanatic told me that Danny Ortega directed the show. Yes, the same guy who enriched our teen years with the iconic High School Musical series. Julie and the Phantoms is different in every essence, but the theme of family, friendship and music make it all too familiar. Every episode features at least one catchy song in relation to the episode topic. Although Ortega cast the actors separately, they appear effortlessly woven together in the final show, giving it more of an X-Factor semblance. Madison Reyes, who plays Julie, is a perfect choice for the role. As a 16-year-old new actress, she adds an inexperienced, amateur and gawky charm to the character, which represents the confusing teenage years we all had to endure. Charles Gillespie playing Luke and makes you nostalgic for our very own exuberant and impassioned Troy Bolton. Gillespie, who confesses to being an avid High School Musical fan, is the fitting tribute to Bolton’s character. Still, at the same time, he manages to balance it out with his authenticity. Owen Joyner and Jeremy Shada play the roles of Alex and Reggie. On the one hand, Owen adds a coy and sentimental charm to Alex, making the character a warm centre of the show, whereas, on the other, Reggie’s playful and perky style always manages to get a laugh out of you. The show is light-hearted, funny and nothing short of charming. It has its sentimental
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Monday 19 October 2020
TV
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Review: Emily in Paris starring Lily Collins Laramie Hevland
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mily in Paris is Netflix’s attempt to make a modern Sex and the City, in which the titular character’s job takes her from Chicago to Paris and she gets to see a whole new side of life. After seeing the trailer, I was prepared to hate this show and write a huge rant about it. However, it turned out to be somewhat less irritating and more watchable than I anticipated. You’ve may have seen plenty of critiques by now regarding Emily’s portrayal of Paris and its residents, and they are all completely spot on. Many have said that it seems like none of the writers involved
have been to France; but I’d go a bit farther and say that it’s unlikely that any of them have even watched Ratatouille.
Conflict between French and American working culture is shown, but goes nowhere Emily in Paris hits all the classic tropes and stereotypes (croissants, berets, French people are all pretentious and mean and obsessed with sex) and while the titular character is constantly gushing about the beauty and joys of t h e city. It
never gets to the heart of why she or anyone else loves it, and only gives us the generic “pretty streets and lights and love.” It’s not only the French who receive this kind of treatment though, as Emily is an absolute caricature of an American (workobsessed and wears too many colours and doesn’t know any other languages). What was far more irritating than those inaccuracies though, is just how badly this show wants to be edgy and thought-provoking. There’s lots of discussion of sex, and some fairly PG-13 depictions, but none of it really goes anywhere or has anything interesting to say. Several episodes start to set up a conflict between French and American working culture, but it doesn’t lead to anything besides more scenes of French people being annoyed and mean.
Another episode has a large, incredibly predictable subplot about the vapidity of many social media influencers, and in one memorable plotline, our protagonist is bold and innovative enough to point out that perfume adverts can sometimes be sexist. But despite all those faults, Emily in Paris isn’t without its merits. There are several genuinely funny moments, the side characters are largely charming and likeable, and the Devil Wears PradaEsque dynamic between Emily and her boss works really well. Ultimately watching this isn’t a terrible way to kill a few hours but it’s unlikely to leave any lasting impressions, besides perhaps the desire for a nice pastry.
A desk pad or calendar
Image: IMDb
the Phantoms moments of friendships and families, and how music often ties the two together. With the falling autumn leaves, the show promises to give you a few giggles and gets you into the Halloween spirit. Julie and her Phantoms are the sweetest preparatory Halloween candy we could have asked for!
Should TV shows be made about real people? Scarlett Welch and Gemma Powell voice their opinions on the controversial subject
Scarlett Welch
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e’ve all watched at least one. Be it an unsettling mini-series about a real-life serial killer or a Louis Theroux documentary, we can’t get enough of meeting the wonderful people of the world, from the comfort of our beds. But is this recent t r e n d harmless or does it have unforeseen consequences?
For
them themselves, such as Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin in Tiger King, or portrayed by an actor like David Tenant in Des. There’s a reason why shows like this are so celebrated, they provide an insight into such a variety of individuals which you rarely get elsewhere. I can certainly say that at the start of this year I knew very little about America’s big cat industry, but since Tiger King most of the population now know the ins and outs of the abuse and the savage warfare of this obscure section of humanity. As well as bringing entirely unknown stories into the limelight, these kinds of documentaries are also effective in exposing well-known individuals. A prime example of this is Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. The arrest of Epstein was huge news in 2019, but the documentary gave us a moving insight into survivors’
Recently there has been a surge in TV shows portraying real people’s stories, whether they star in
Tiger King proved to be one of the most popular shows of the year from Netflix
Gemma Powell
Against
Image: IMDb
From serial killers to strange cults, I love a documentary or a real-life drama as much as the next person. But there are so many problems with creating a show whilst the people involved are still alive and the issues raised are still prevalent in society. First of all, the issue of exploitation must be raised. Tiger King proved to be one of the most popular shows of the year on Netflix but there were many vulnerable characters within that story. They were mainly used to shock the audience or seen as a figure to laugh at, despite complex personal issues, such as mental health and addiction issues. Similar sort of portrayals come from shows with a
Image: IMDb
stories and the horrific details of the c a s e , ensuring that Epstein would not be let off by the public. As a whole, shows about real people can reveal fascinating stories that the public would never find elsewhere.
Image: IMDb
‘poverty porn’ lens, such as Benefits Street. They also tend to look down on individuals with social and economic issues as lesser than those in a more privileged position. This is simply cruel and wrong. There’s also the issue of portraying killers and those who have committed horrible crimes, especially while they are still alive. In the last year, a few documentaries about the Yorkshire ripper have been released, which saw victims recount their horrific stories and condemned the police heavily for their sexism and old-fashioned beliefs. Whilst the latter part helped me to reflect on the changes society has made for the better, it is a worry that the old man still in jail is somehow getting satisfaction from his notoriety or, even worse, those with an incredibly warped mindset want this type of fame for their own.
Monday 19 October 2020
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Film
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Cineworld closes after low box office receipts
Leo Dawson reports on the mass cinema closure by chain giant Cineworld following the No Time to Die delay Leo Dawson
T
he film industry continues to crumble due to COVID-19 with the UK’s biggest cinema chain closing all its screens due to further film delays. 2020’s film slate has been obliterated
by the coronavirus pandemic with major studio tentpole movies being pushed back to 2021 and beyond. This has left audiences without major blockbusters such as Mulan, Black Widow and Wonder Woman 1984 and film studios without their essential lifelines to continue throughout the year. Earlier this week, it was announced that even films scheduled for release in 2021, like The Batman are being pushed back to 2022, so it is clear that the impact on the industry will be felt well into the new year. Christopher Nolan was vocal in the discussion about ‘saving’ cinema before Tenet (2020) disappointed at the US and UK box office. The director hoped that audiences could go to the
movies to ensure that something on the scale of Cineworld’s closure would not happen, when in reality, going to a packed cinema was specifically discouraged by the government during the early months of the pandemic. UK cinemas have struggled through nationwide and local lockdowns in anticipation of a particularly major financial boost from Daniel Craig’s newest venture as 007 in No Time to Die.
The spy flick has now been pushed back a further two times by production company MGM The film has not been without its own obstacles: delayed by a script rewrite from Fleabag mastermind Phoebe Waller-Bridge and then later by Danny Boyle exiting as director in 2019. Set for an April 2020 release from new director Cary Fukunaga, the spy flick has now been pushed back a further two times by production company MGM which has proven too much for cinema giant Cineworld. After reporting a £1.3bn loss for the first half of 2020 and now losing such a major audience draw,the cinema chain which accounts for Image: Facebook
almost 30% of the UK and Ireland’s box office is temporarily closing all of its theatres until another lifeline is offered. The closure is set to affect 128 theatres and over 5,500 employees, as well as custodian workers and security staff. Cineworld CEO Moshe Greidinger said the decision was “not made lightly” and that great attempts were made by the chain to “support safe and sustainable reopening.” Many film fans have expressed their sadness at the announcement on social media with many urging the government to ‘save’ the industry with financial support, similar to the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme for the hospitality industry. However, Boris Johnson spoke on Monday about the situation the cinema industry is in and urged people “to go out to the cinema, enjoy themselves and support businesses” in ways that are Covid-secure. It is clear that Cineworld does not see this as a possibility or at least one that is sustainable, with their own statement on Monday claiming that they were unable to provide customers “the breadth of strong commercial films necessary for them to consider coming back to theatres” during the current global crisis. U l t i m a t e l y, Cineworld’s closure for the foreseeable future can serve as a reminder that the entertainment industry requires tangible and continuous support from the government. If audiences cannot sit and enjoy movies in a safe and secure environment, it is highly unlikely that the cinema itself is responsible. Image: IMDb
Barry Jenkins tapped for The Lion King sequel Owen Herman discusses his hopes for Barry Jenkins' reign on the Disney classic
Owen Herman
B
arry Jenkins, director of Oscar winner Moonlight (2016), If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), and Medicine for Melancholy (2008) has been chosen as director for the upcoming The Lion King sequel. For Jenkins, making the all CGI blockbuster is going to be a big departure from his previous work. 2019’s The Lion King was helmed by Jon Favreau, who’d proven his skills for making effects heavy blockbusters with films like Iron Man (2008) and The Jungle Book (2016). While this is a step away from his lower-budget dramas, Jenkins will nonetheless delight Disney with his sheer talent and filmmaking knowledge. Moonlight, which won Jenkins his Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (alongside Tarell Alvin McCraney), was also well known for winning Best Picture after it had been wrongly awarded to La La Land in 2017.
The film itself will be a follow up to the 2019 film and not a remake of the 1994 sequel
Jenkins is perhaps a surprise choice for Disney,
who have usually gone for more mainstream names such as Tim Burton (Dumbo) and Guy Ritchie (Aladdin) for their back catalogue remakes, but it may be a decision that follows in the success of directors like Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) in the Disney owned Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film itself will be a follow up to the 2019 film and not a remake of 1994’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. It will also include prequel elements, such as heavily focusing on the origins of Mustafa. It is likely to be highly anticipated and Disney will hope it is another big financial hit like its predecessor, which made over $1.5 billion worldwide. Returning to the film include stars Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, James Earle Jones, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan.
Aladdin is also reported to be having a sequel, and a remake of The Little Mermaid and One Hundred and One Dalmations spin-off called Cruella The success of The Lion King, and other remakes such as Beauty and the Beast (2017), Dumbo (2019), and Aladdin (2019), has led Disney to further their strategy of bringing nostalgic gems to the big screen again. Alongside The Lion King 2, Aladdin is also reported to be having a sequel, and a remake of The Little Mermaid and One Hundred and One Dalmatians spin-off Cruella, with Halle Berry and Emma Stone in the lead roles respectively, are in the works. Due to current circumstances Disney chose to release their most recent remake, Mulan
(2020), and the upcoming Pixar film Soul on their streaming platform Disney+, meaning if they are successful enough for Disney financially, we could see more future films spending less time in the cinema, or even skipping a theatrical release entirely. 2019’s The Lady and the Tramp was also only released on Disney+, to help launch the streaming service, and at this moment Disney’s plan for future releases is unclear. The announcement of Jenkins as director has split opinion among film fans. While his involvement in such a mainstream nonoriginal project is disappointing to some, many suggest the money and exposure it will give Jenkins will be sure to enable him to return to more arthouse projects in a better position. Jenkins’ other future works also include Amazon Studios series The Underground Railroad and a biography of choreographer Alvin Ailey.
Image: IMDb
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Monday 19 October 2020
Did Bond delay deliver a cinema death warrant? Claire Maggie Dowens questions the viability of cinemas following MGM's change in their 2020 slate Claire Maggie Dowens
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In a statement issued by a spokesperson on behalf of MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, it was reaffirmed that the film has once again been rescheduled “in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience.” As disappointing as this may seem to many avid fans and cinemagoers, I can’t help but feel that the studio’s decision to
ith the latest James Bond instalment postponed yet again amidst the ongoing crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, it is a crucial moment to reflect upon what this could mean for the future of cinema theatres both worldwide and our local city of Newcastle. Is it possible that the cinema industry is increasingly being forced into a bleak and inescapable black hole; its own time to die? Earlier this year, it was announced that the premiere of No Time to Die, would be moved from April to November due to the pandemic. However, with only one month left for fan’s to eagerly anticipate its release, it has recently been announced that the film will be further delayed until April 2021 as a result of the global resurgence of coronavirus cases.
The Devil All the Time (18)
George Bell
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Image: YouTube
— TV sub-editor
ne of the most anticipated Netflix Originals has finally dropped but The Devil All The Time is a prime example of why great performances do not make a great film. Set in the years after World War II, The Devil All the Time follows several different characters in and around a small town as they struggle with sin, religion and some of the darkest things a human can do. You might think that plot sounds a bit vague, and you’d be correct. One of the biggest weaknesses of The Devil All the Time is the plot or lack thereof. Due to a few too many characters moving in a few too many directions the final product feels stuck in the water with nothing really pushing it anywhere. With a star-studded cast including the likes of Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, and Sebastian Stan, chances are this film has already been on your radar for a while. And let me tell you – they don’t disappoint. Holland and Pattinson in particular hand in superb performances with shockingly good southern accents. Holland gives everything in this role, showing everyone that he is more than just a few quips under spandex and hopefully we get to see him in even more serious roles in the future. As for Robert Pattinson, it’s yet another brilliant, scene-stealing performance – further cementing him as one of the best actors working today. I think the main issue with The Devil All the Time is that it is trying to cram way too much in. Some of the characters could have been dropped and the film would have played out more or less the same; either that or make it into a TV series so we can spend more time with each of these characters individually and give each actor a chance to shine. While The Devil All the Time had almost limitless potential, it sadly misses the mark resulting in a lengthy misery tour about why religion is bad.
Hubie Halloween (12)
G
Image: YouTube
one are the days when we used to get scary Halloween specials featuring violence, grotesque aesthetics and evil witches thirsting for power! Well, that’s the first impression I got from Hubie Halloween anyway. The story starts with a loud-thundering night as we discover that a certain Mr Loon E. Toones has runoff from a maximum security facility. Soon after, we are thrust into a bright and cheerful Salem, where a helmet-clad Hubie driving through the town welcomes us on his bike. It’s the night of 31st, and the story follows Hubie going around the neighbourhood ensuring the safety of the townfolks as he dodges through mean pranks. However, very suspicious abductions take place in the dead of the night, leaving Hubie a suspect. Directed by Steven Brill (The Do-Over) and produced by Adam Sandler, Hubie has a very gentle core which preaches the power of kindness, and how an act of cruelty is merely a reflection of people’s criticism about their own selves. Filled with teenagers and bullies acting like teenagers, the film has a very youthful vibe. Moreover, through the fantastical characters of Walter Lambert (Steve Buscemi) and Richie Hartman (Rob Schneider), the film advocates the importance of friendship and loyalty as well. Central to the story, Sandler’s Hubie rises as a symbol of “hero“, asserted quite accurately by Violet Valentine. This heroism has less to do with physical superhuman capabilities and more about the courage, truth and compassion in the heart. In this unique take on Halloween, the ugly and scary trope is the bullying and hate-filled attitude of the villains who look like you and me, but intentionally hurt those who are different than them. In a world growing increasingly divided day-by-day, Hubie represents the right sentiments with a few laughs sprinkled along the way.
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PREVIEW Rebecca (12A)
This thing is just bigger than all of us. We just want people to go and see this movie in the right way, a safe way.
Daniel Craig himself justified the producers’ decision to delay the film for another five months. Speaking on The Tonight Show, he explained how the pandemic was the prime reason for the movie’s postponement, stating, “This thing is just bigger than all of us. We just want people to go and see this movie in the right way, a safe way.” More concerning is what this means for the wider cinema scene in relatively small cities, such as our beloved town of Newcastle. Tyneside Cinema for instance, which has been at the heart of Newcastle since the 1930’s, has openly admitted its continuous financial struggle since the pandemic began. With only three main cinemas situated in Newcastle city centre, including Cineworld, which is now temporarily shut, we are facing the possibility of living without cinema for the foreseeable future.
Image: IMDb
Arnojya Shree
postpone the release of the film, is ultimately the safest and most sensible option at present.
Film
Bill and Ted Face the Music (12)
Amy Brown
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Image: IMDb
— Culture editor
t’s been a long wait for us Bill and Ted fans. The long awaited third instalment to the franchise was released last week, and it has been the topic of many mixed reviews. When it came to Bill and Ted Face The Music, I kept my expectations low. And this isn’t because I didn’t have faith; it was more because I hold the first two films so close to my heart. I watched them religiously with my brother and they became my comfort movies, something to go back to when I need a dose of nostalgia. Surprisingly, Face The Music still gave me that feeling. The third film reunites our favourite (now middle-aged) lovable airheads, Bill and Ted, with their Princess wives and their two grown up daughters. Having ‘failed’ in the world of Rock and Roll and appearing totally burnt out, the Wyld Stallyns are challenged with performing a song that saves civilisation. Lots of time travelling and chaos ensues. Finally seeing Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter back in these roles was amazing, however, I was very much drawn to their daughters. As you’d expect, they’re pretty much exactly the same as their dads, with the same witty behaviour and one-liners. Aptly named Thea (Samara Weaving) and Billie (Bridgette Lundy-Paine), they pulled focus with their strong chemistry as they attempted to help their fathers save the world. They step into Bill and Ted’s shoes and time travel to retrieve iconic musicians of the past, including Jimi Hendrix and Mozart. The storyline lost me frequently, but I was drawn back in through the familiar characters (and waiting for Death to finally show up). To try and sum it up, Face The Music is incredibly endearing, but definitely not as bogus. It was uplifting and funny, but it couldn’t quite reach the brilliance of Bill and Ted playing battleships with Death or breaking historical figures out of jail.
Image: IMDb
Jennifer Mills
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early 80 years after the release of Hitchcock’s romantic thriller, Netflix has announced a new adaptation of Dame Daphne Du Maurier’s riveting Gothic novel. The story of Rebecca follows the nameless heroine as she stumbles into an unlikely marriage with a famous aristocrat she happens to befriend on holiday, depicts her clumsy transition from paid companion to mistress of Manderley, and painfully describes her descent into madness inspired by the constant reminder of her predecessor – Rebecca. Netflix announced its upcoming colourised version almost two years ago, casting Lily James as the second Mrs de Winter. James’ sunny disposition is superbly suited to Rebecca’s heroine, reminiscent of Joan Fontaine’s performance in the 1940 version. Roles such as Donna (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) showcase James’ unique ability to capture both strength and optimism, so it will be very interesting to see how she can portray the solemnity and despair also required for the role. Armie Hammer will be James’ co-star, another convincing casting choice. Hammer, famous for starring roles in The Lone Ranger (2013) and Call Me by Your Name (2017), is certainly a smart decision by Netflix to draw in a younger generation of viewers, rather than just fans of the original movie or people who have read the book. The chemistry between the two romantic leads was touched upon in the advert Netflix has recently released, certainly depicting a far steamier courtship than Du Maurier or Hitchcock had imagined.
The trailer for Wheatley's adaptation seems to capture the intense and isolating tone from Du Maurier's novel perfectly. Director Ben Wheatley has been nominated for numerous independent film awards over the last decade and has also written a couple of Doctor Who episodes. The trailer for Wheatley’s Rebecca seems to capture the intense and isolating tone from the novel perfectly, with many stylised choices apparent – especially the drastic shift in colour scheme and lighting for the late Mrs de Winter’s bedroom. Netflix has made a risky choice by selecting an established yet lesser known director, especially given the prestige of Hitchcock - but Wheatley seems to be modernising the themes and will hopefully give the story a fresh adaptation. The message behind Du Maurier’s Rebecca is one that resonates across time – one of the mysteries of love, jealousy, and insecurity. Her heroine is a perfect role model for readers of any period, demonstrating tenacity and passion in the face of madness and abuse. It is also a careful representation of the mental health issues men face due to emotional abuse, as demonstrated by Maxim’s temper and stoicism. These themes are vital for contemporary audiences to see, so I hope Netflix respects them. So re-read the novel, re-watch Hitchcock’s imagining of it, and await eagerly for the most beautiful romance story of the last century to be re-popularised 21 October.
Monday 19 October 2020
Arts
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Bernardine Evaristo slams academics who prioritise “whiteness and maleness” Louise Cusine discusses the Booker Prize winner's latest comments on the exclusionary literary and academic landscape Louise Cusine
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—Travel sub-editor
ith the beginning of term upon us, the ritual of checking our reading lists and the rush to check out the essential books from the Philip Robinson library commences. How much power do white and male authors hold over our reading lists? This power is immeasurable and consequently, black and people of colour authors have suffered at the hands of institutionalised racism… Anglo-Nigerian award-winning author, and a Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University in London, Bernardine Evaristo has challenged academics about reassessing their reading lists. Whilst our minds are supposed to be broadened through our reading lists, she believes students are subjected to only two narratives: whiteness and maleness.
"In the hierarchy of literature, past and present, which novels are presented as worthy of our critical attention?" Evaristo Statesman significant “When we
has written an essay in the New in which she raises a myriad of questions in relation to this debate: ask them (students) to step inside the
fictional lives of novels, which social groups are prioritised? In the hierarchy of literature, past and present, which novels are being presented as worthy of our critical attention by those with academic and cultural authority? What are the absences, how are they justified, and how do we redress this?”
Without the words of these authors, we have no idea of their respective cultures, which leads to single mindedness
Why should BIPOC authors suffice as merely a 'side dish' when they have written narratives that should be echoed in lectures? thinking BIPOC authors don’t exist and therefore don’t matter. In Taking Up Space, by Cambridge alumni Chelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi, the issue of reading lists is also addressed; Somali-Canadian writer and photographer, Saredo Qassim Mohamed comments on
Evaristo targets her manifesto at academics who value whiteness and maleness over other groups in society. She argues further that this is an “attitude that they (students) pass on to the next generation of readers, thinkers, academics, publishers and critics.” This is a real problem as a lack of representation on reading lists can brainwash us into thinking BIPOC authors don’t exist and therefore don’t matter. Without the words of these authors, we have no idea of their respective cultures, which leads to singlemindedness, manifesting into racist ideology. This is a real problem as a lack of representation on reading lists can brainwash us into
Louise Glück wins Nobel Prize Maud Webster —Arts sub-editor
U Image: @gatherwoman on Instagram
How drag hit the big time Grace Piercy
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t’s been said that drag as we know it began in the ballroom scene. Beginning in the late 19th century, the underground LGBTQ+ community began to organise masquerade balls known as “drags” in
defiance of laws banning people from wearing clothes associated with the opposite gender Ballroom’s most famous heyday is that of New York in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. This community was made up of young Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ people who formed ‘Houses’, new
families who would walk together in balls. Balls involved people competing for trophies in dancing, modeling, etc. The New York scene gained short-term exposure through Madonna’s hit song ‘Vogue’ (1990), named for a style of dance done in balls, as well as the documentary Paris is Burning (1990). But drag had to wait another 20 years before it hit the public conscious.
RuPaul's Drag Race has won 34 awards in 11 years, including 19 Primetime Emmys
We can’t speak about drag’s move to mainstream without centring the role of Drag Race. Ru Paul’s Drag Race which began airing 11 years ago, brought drag to the world stage; allowing for those outside the community to appreciate drag as an art. I like to describe Drag Race as Top Model meets Britain’s Got Talent meets Project Runway etc. But Drag Race is also just objectively good reality TV, combining interpersonal drama and competition with personal growth. And it’s success cannot be understated; winning
this particular issue: “it’s almost as if these African and black writers were a side dish to the main meal as opposed to really exploring their own work critically…” Why should BIPOC authors suffice to be merely a “side dish” when they have written narratives that should be echoed in lecture theatres? It is evident from several black authors that students need fresh Eyre, not from the Brontë’s though – James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Bernardine Evaristo? Take your pick academics, just don’t stick to the overriding narratives.
34 awards in 11 years, including 19 Primetime Emmys. It has also garnered international adaptations that showcase that state’s drag culture. The popularity of Drag Race has a fairly direct correlation with how much we as a society ‘accept’ gay people, as can be seen with today’s obsession with the culture created by the LBGTQ+ community. Mainstream culture is always ‘borrowing’ from LGBTQ+ culture, with “yaas”, “tea”, “shade” and “okurrr” being among common Millennial and Gen Z vernacular; often popularised and appropriated by those not part of the community (see the Kardashians and Cardi B). It should not be overlooked that most of these phrases were originated by transgender people in ballroom, such as ‘werk’ and ‘realness’. Drag has made its way from underground to mainstream because the mainstream culture loves gawping at what’s ‘different’, and in doing so has shown just how talented drag queens can be. Now they have an international platform to showcase their art. Image: @ecolleary on Instagram
S poet Louise Glück has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize for Literature on the basis of her “unmistakable poetic voice, that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal”. Glück has previously won the Pulitzer Prize (1993), the Los Angeles Times Book Prize (2012) and National Book Award (2014); her plethora of accomplishments span decades and demonstrate her universal appeal.
She wasn't widely expected to be awarded the Nobel Prize; until now, Glück's influence has largely remained within the US The Nobel laureate has published twelve poetry collections to date, and takes inspiration from Greek mythology as well as centring around the themes of childhood, family life and death. She wasn’t widely expected to be awarded the prize; until now, Glück’s influence has largely remained within the US. Image: @ nobelprize_org on Instagram
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Monday 19 October 2020
Arts
Review: Christina Ramberg’s ‘The Making of Husbands’ Francesca Scanlan —Travel sub-editor
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oignantly relatable for women across the globe, the BALTIC’S latest exhibition (named after John Cassavetes’ 1970 film ‘Husbands’ explores Christina Ramberg’s catalogue of 1970s and ‘80s feminist paintings, along with later artists working with similar themes.
Her work mainly explores gender and power dynamics, gender constructions and desire Ramberg (1946-95), was part of the Chicago Imagists that came onto the art scene in the 1960s, although most of her works in the exhibition are from the ‘70s and early ‘80s. Her work mainly explores gender and power dynamics, gender
E
—Comment sub-editor
ntering the exhibition, it’s unclear what exactly you’ve walked into; an art gallery, a museum for a forgotten culture, a holding facility for extra-dimensional or supernatural artefacts. Huma Bhabha is primarily a sculptor, whose works focus on the grotesque and the decrepit. Against Time is a survey of her work since 2005 centred around her styrofoam and cork figures, as well as 2D work. Time and destruction runs through Bhabha’s work. The statues, like the fetishes of a Lovecraftian cult, seem to be in the process of decay. The Reconstructions series of photogravures superimpose the construction of giant monuments over the outskirts of Karachi. Disembodied feet are a regular motif also, supposedly inspired by a film scene where a man’s body is blown up, leaving only shoes and ankles. Shelley’s Ozymandia’s comes to mind throughout. Bhabha plays with materials in way that makes
This new silence hurts my heart, It unsettles my bones. Are you upset with me? I want to see you be happy again, I want to see the joy light up in your eyes, As flowers sprout from your thighs. Though your body may be bruised, I will heal you, I am sorry for the way that you were used.
Image: Christina Ramberg (via The BALTIC)
grin, but is in fact lacquered bronze. Bhahba makes sure we’re never completely sure what we’re seeing. Image: @balticgateshead on Twitter
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—Comment sub-editor
from?
t might just be me, but I find there’s a great deal of pleasure to be derived from a nicely done integration. And what is art, but something a mind puts down that that another can appreciate, or derive pleasure
Art has no set meaning. The term is way too wide to really encompass what art has come to mean.
Art is far too important to narrow into just visual art, as the dictionary definitions do. Anything a human mind produces with thought behind it,
Where did your flowers go? Are they still able to grow? Where are the roots that once held together your soul? Did they break them? Those men with mechanical swords who cut your throat and silenced you. You warned us, as you pleaded for mercy, But we did not listen. You cried, as the heavens descended upon us, But we did not listen. You screamed in anger as the fires tore through the land, But we did not listen.
Mathematics: Is is art? Muslim Taseer
I miss you, I miss our communication, just you and me and a silence that was oh so sweet!
Christina Ramberg’s ‘The Making of Husbands’ exhibition runs until the 21st February 2021 at the BALTIC.
the origin of her figures even more uncertain. She uses flimsy styrofoam, earthy cork, and cast metal, and then uses painting and carving to disguise them all as each other; The Joke appears at first glance to be a piece of styrofoam packing spray painted with a grotesque
Love letter to the Earth by Tiyanna-Poonam Mistry
I miss the way you used to whisper in my ear,
constructions, and desire, perhaps depicted most obviously in her piece ‘Tight Hipped’, with a bulging crotch peeping out from underneath a corset. The paintings shown are darkly sensual acrylics on fibreboard or Masonite, highly finished and with crisp geometric lines and curves depicting torsos in corsets. Perhaps the most striking piece of the exhibition is Howardina Pindell’s 1980 film ‘Free, White and 21’, in which Pindell recounts her experiences of being subjected to lifelong racism, which included abuse by teachers and being singled out by white people, all while wrapping herself in bandages and peeling Elmer’s Glue off her face. This is punctuated intermittently by the artist dressed as a white woman reeling off racist platitudes, presumably echoing that which Pindell has heard throughout her life.
Review: Huma Bhabha’s ‘Against Time’ Tom Leach
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and with any potential for ‘beauty’ in even the most subjective form is Art. This definition infers that art will be best appreciated by those who understand it, an assertion that fits maths into the art camp quite confidently. If you’ve studied Maths, you will know very well that feeling of satisfaction you get when you ‘get’ how a concept works, or when you finally figure out how to solve a tricky equation. This is indicative of the inherent beauty in every formula. You don’t have to be a math whiz to appreciate that it’s quite nifty that all these numbers follow concrete rules and have set relationships with each other. It’s even niftier that these rules must always be true, and any breach of them would mean a breach in ‘reality’. Just as a painting of a nice sunset is a proof of the inherent beauty in sunsets, some equations are beautiful proofs of the laws that hold our universe together. There is math in everything, and it tells us why these things are the way they are. What’s more beautiful than that?
Gemma Powell
A
n Arts student is born during those trigonometry classes at 15 years old, when counting the minutes down on the clock seems more interesting than the lesson at hand.
Even if you study a more academic artistic subject, some level of creativity goes into it
Mathematics is not beautiful like many mathematicians claim, it is the factual rules that hold a structure up or are reasons why something is. The art comes from the creative processes
We are listening now...I hope it is not too late ~ T.P.M
behind that. Even if you study a traditionally more academic arts subject, some level of creativity goes into the creation of your essays, spoken work or projects. For me, this stands in opposition to the whole idea of the arts being subjective. People may argue that the Fibonacci sequence goes on to create beautiful spiralling creations, both in nature and artificially. But it is not Fibonacci’s sequence of 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and so on that is beautiful in itself; they are simply numbers on a page. It is how we perceive the spiral on a snail’s shell or the painted crashing wave that makes them beautiful, interesting or unique – not the facts behind them. Colour, texture and many other creative decisions that go into making the crashing wave is art too. Maths is something I have spent my years trying to use but I’m an Art student, unable to cope with manipulating numbers and proud of the subjectivity of my work.
Monday 19 October 2020
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Gaming The 'State of Play' at Sony Lockdown looming? Try ou 30
Sony's most recent State of Play livestream showcased a range of offerings. Here are the best and worst of the bunch Kaitlyn Maracle
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— Gaming sub-editor
fter Xbox's latest controversy with their console price and smaller compact version leaking online, many wondered what Sony's next move would be, given that there were very few leaks or rumours - and Sony did not disappoint. Starting off strong, Sony showed off Final Fantasy XVI, complete with some new emo boy protagonists, war Chocobos and absolutely stunning graphics and gameplay. The game seems to be a more fantasy-themed setting, so unfortunately there probably won’t be fun car rides across the country, but instead some really impressive-looking armour. The trailer also featured a number of 'summons' from past games, and it looks like we might have to fight them. What's even more interesting is that Final Fantasy XVI is going to be a PlayStation exclusive, with a PC release also pending. Final Fantasy's official Twitter also promised we would hear more in 2021. Next up we saw a short in-game cutscene and gameplay from Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and I can't say I'm not looking forward to this bad boy either. I was initially worried that bringing Miles into the game would feel similar to putting the new suits on Peter Parker in the original game (comic book Spidey anyone? Just me?) but Insomniac didn't hesitate to prove me wrong. Everything about Miles and his combat/swinging style felt different, unique to him. The venom shock looks insane and the combat encapsulates everything I loved from the first game. Capcom got their spooky on just in time for Halloween with Resident
Evil VIII: Village and boy, I hated that. I'm not a huge fan of the Resident Evil franchise, but this game could have a huge appeal to horror fans and fans of the franchise in general. Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach. Nope. Nope. No no no, thank you but NOPE. Very creepy. Demons' Souls looks incredible. Kind of hard, given that it's basically the original 'Souls-like', but my God, the graphics in this. Although I am a bit confused - some of the monsters in this trailer
When you buy the PS5 with PS+, you'll get access to some of Sony's biggest titles were very very big, and you only have a very small sword. Can't wait to watch someone else do a playthrough of this so I don't have to do it myself. Finally, the PlayStation Plus Collection. When you buy the PS5 with PS+, you'll get access to some of Sony's biggest titles available to download on the new hardware. These titles include God of War, Persona 5, InFamous: Second Son, The Last of Us: Remastered, Bloodborne, Monster Hunter World, Fallout 4, Until Dawn, Days Gone, Detroit: Become Human and a few others. This seems like a great deal, especially for anyone worried about selling their PS4 and not being able to play games in their collection. It is unclear if any of these games will have any graphics updates while running on the new hardware, but even so, it's a great deal. Last but not least, we got the price of both the digital and disk versions of the console alongside the release date. £360 for the digital, and £450 for the normal version. Incredibly reasonable. Both consoles will be released in the UK on 19 November, which is really soon! I guess that's where all of our student finance is going then. I think we were all expecting it to cost much more. But wait, there's more. We got one final game teaser. For... drum roll please. God of War 2, coming next year! I'm so excited I cried, and if you haven't played God of War, why not? At least with the PS+ collection you'll be able to grab it!
Image: IGDB
Our writers dig deep into what games got u
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
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Georgina Howlett
all Guys: Ultimate Knockout released on PlayStation 4 and PC on 4 August, and has quickly become an international sensation. A party game following the battle royale formula, it is not only the most downloaded PlayStation Plus title ever but also one of the most successful games of 2020 so far. Your aim is to be the last of 60 jelly beans standing and win yourself a crown after overcoming various obstacle courses (e.g. Dizzy Heights, Whirlygig, Slime Climb, Wall Guys), team games (e.g. Team Tail Tag, Rock 'n' Roll, Fall Ball and Hoarders) and - of course - the final, which can currently be one of four options: Fall Mountain, Hex-AGone, Royal Fumble and Jump Showdown. With the possibility to play either alone or in a squad of up to four players, it is an immensely fun and challenging game with funky music, colourful graphics, level randomisation and silly physics to contend with. With a wealth of customisation options for your jelly bean, a cosmetic-only approach to microtransactions and a no-cost post-launch content plan already rolling out, there is a lot of personality to the game and many design choices to be respected. If you’re looking for a new game to play with friends, look no further than Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, and remember to time your grabs wisely...!
Dragon Quest XI
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Jack Wallace-Hunter
y love for the Dragon Quest franchise was birthed at the age of eleven when I was gifted Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies. It was that gift (and a fair bit of nostalgia) that made me a die-hard fan of everything Dragon Quest. My adventure with the eleventh installment started last September, yet for whatever reason I stopped playing. So, when lockdown arrived, I decided: “YES – I shall finish this game!” I can say, without a doubt, that Dragon Quest XI has captured the imagination of not only myself, but also my flatmate. It has become common practice for us to gather around the TV and become immersed within the world of Erdrea. An average session would consist of us shouting profanities at the dense knight that states the obvious, laughing over the grandad hiding his dirty magazines and screaming "Gay Rights!" at the jester with an army of twinks (aka the soldiers of smile). With a vast yet beautiful world map and a rivetingly emotional storyline, Dragon Quest XI is the game to play. Although I have not completed it just yet, (I’m very close to) I can safely say that it will be the game that I will fondly remember for getting me through lockdown.
Images: IGDB, Twitter (@BrickinNick) and Twitter (@ avargh8)
Blizzard postpone WoW: Shadowlands Activision Blizzard have delayed the release of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Patrick Young — Travel sub-editor
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ctivision Blizzard have been known to rush expansions in the past. With the fifth expansion, Warlords of Draenor being frequently targeted as one which was released too soon according to many fans of this popular MMORPG, with questing feeling unfinished and lacklustre. The decision to scrap the initial release date, comes less than a month before the official date of October 26th. This is clearly an attempt by Blizzard to try to make the game more enjoyable for fans. Blizzard has seen a large drop in fan engagement with World of Warcraft, in the years since the release of the fourth expansion, Cataclysm. Many fans were left feeling dissatisfied with the quality of gameplay and changes that were being made. Other Blizzard games have been subject to harsh criticism as of late; with Diablo III receiving harsh
critiques, and Blizzard going so far as to offer those who had bought Warcraft III: Reforged refunds. It is seemingly no surprise then why it is in Blizzard's best interest to work on creating the best experience possible in their games. The prior expansion to Shadowlands, Battle for Azeroth, was also met with critiques about the gameplay, lack of dialogue options, and the reputation farming needed to unlock newer races. The decision from Blizzard to postpone the launch of Shadowlands could mean that they can perfect the disappointing issues felt by fans of the franchise. However, during the beta tests, many testers complained about the level of bugs in-game, and the lack of polish that is needed for a finished game. So, it comes as no surprise that fans reacted positively to the news of Blizzard taking extra time to work on Shadowlands, as it shows that for once, this gaming giant is listening to its players, and giving them the great game they have been craving for so long.
So despite no official release date, many fans wait for Shadowlands with baited breath.
Image: Flickr (SobControllers)
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Gaming
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ut these boredom-busters! Don't Be(thesda) my X(box) heh heh
us through the long months of lockdown
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GTA: San Andreas Joseph Caddick
an Andreas is a game I always watched my brother play, but I finally decided to give it a go myself. Featuring a memorable map that I'd argue is more varied (but smaller) than its counterpart in GTA V, it was a joy to drive around from mission to mission. The story's also a great one, with some genuinely surprising twists. Some characters return from GTA III and Vice City too, making San Andreas feel like the conclusion to a trilogy of amazing games. I also want to highlight the phenomenal soundtrack, which definitely influenced my taste in music today - there's some great songs here ("Hold the Line" is my favourite). Some controls like the frustrating driveby shooting feel dated, but for the most part everything works as you'd expect. I was bad at the game, however, and had to resort to cheats in a couple of missions. There were also some annoyances like rocks popping up out of nowhere and causing collisions, sometimes making me fail a mission. For such an old game, it's amazing how much it got right. Subsequent open world games haven't quite managed to re ach this level of polish. Things like putting on muscle and fat in a game and having a romantic life aren't anywhere near as fleshed out in other open world games (or even other GTA games). It was truly ahead of its time.
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CARRION
Muslim Taseer
hrough the slog of lockdown, I would spend at least an hour or two a day looking for video games that seemed fun enough to play, and only found a few in months of searching. Probably my favourite one is Devolver Digital’s ‘reversehorror’ game Carrion. This ‘The Thing' inspired platformer has you play as a highly-intelligent, carnivorous, amorphous blob of flesh, tentacles and teeth, hinted to be a mutated form of tubifex worm. The player controls this monstrosity from its initial containment breach, rampaging throughout the underground facility it's been held in. As you escape, you devour helpless humans to gain biomass, mutations and nifty abilities as you progress through the game. These in turn allow you to more effectively terrify helpless personnel right before you tear them apart, or to more easily dispatch with security forces and mechas. Mechanics of the game are also supported by the tentacled movement system that is extremely fluid, and feels just right for optimal worm gameplay.
This The Thing inspired platformer has you play as a highly-intelligent blob of flesh. There’s also a lovely puzzle element to opening up sections of the facility. Different abilities are locked to different ‘sizes’ of the worm you play as and are needed for progressing, which adds a nice little mechanic of having to manage biomass. The pixel art graphics are blended with completely destructible environments with good physics and sharp lighting to create a perfectly eerie atmosphere. Above all else, however, it’s just extremely fun to cinematically rampage through the facility to the game’s lovely soundtrack, leaving a trail of sticky blood and mayhem in your wake.
Activision Blizzard have delayed the release of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Patrick Young — Travel sub-editor
W
hether you think it is a savvy business deal or the company is becoming a gaming monopoly, Microsoft has hedged it’s bets on its acquisition of Bethesda and other studios on a deal worth $7.5 billion. Microsoft confirmed that it had bought Bethesda’s parent company, Zenimax Media, bringing notable franchises like Doom, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Wolfenstein under the Xbox banner. But what does this mean for the games developers, and arguably most importantly, the loyal fans?
Microsoft currently owns 23 studios, including Mojang, Arkane, iD and MachineGames Acquiring companies is nothing new for Microsoft. In 2014 it announced that it had integrated Mojang, creators of Minecraft, into the Xbox family with a deal worth $2.5 billion. Yet that does not compare to the sheer scale of this latest deal, not to mention the lasting consequences that this might have with the release of next gen consoles. The Zenimax deal is the third largest purchase made by Microsoft across all industries and is one of the largest acquisitions in gaming history. With this deal, Microsoft owns 23 studios, adding the likes of Arkane Studios (creators of Dishonoured), id Software (developers of Doom) and MachineGames (creators of Wolfenstein) to its roster. The sheer quantity of studios now operating under the microsoft banner has raised questions over whether microsoft is now on its way to carving out a monopoly of its own akin to Disney in the film and TV industry. Games such as the much anticipated next installment of the Elder Scrolls franchise could become Xbox exclusive, pushing fans to the Xbox series X for their
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choice in next generation consoles. Yet arguably this could be just the thing that Bethesda needs to reinvigorate itself. The studio suffered a massive fallout with Fallout 76, with what fans considered a poor launch and yet another underwhelming pay-to-play. With Arkane Studios’ Dishonoured 2 underperforming, it seemed that the gaming powerhouse was waning. But with the promise of the financial security and resources at the disposal of Microsoft, the parties involved could see a fresh new wave of classics that we know Bethesda and others can create.
Microsoft is carving out its stronghold in a highly competitive games industry Above all else, could the vast library of games from Zenimax Media now feature in Xbox All Access? If so, gamers could enjoy an expanded library varying from Minecraft to Halo to now Elder Scrolls. Whatever you may make of this, it can safely be said that Microsoft is carving out its stronghold in the highly competitive gaming industry. But the question remains: will Microsoft start snowballing with its expansionism or will competitors be able strike back in the ongoing console wars.
Image: Twitter (@ToddHowardDaily)
Memory Card: Luigi's Mansion 3 Just in time for Halloween, get sucked into this spooky gem starring gaming's most-famous younger brother Kaitlyn Maracle
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— Gaming sub-editor
Image: IGDB
uigi is the best Mario brother. There. I said it. When I was looking for a new Switch game to get me through lockdown (after I gave up on Breath of the Wild that is), I felt hopeless. Very few games were catching my interest, and even fewer were holding it - until I found Luigi’s Mansion 3. I was unfamiliar with the other entries in the spin-off franchise, so when I saw trailers and gameplay I figured it was going to be too childish and easy for me to enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong. The game follows Mario, Luigi, Peach and some
Toads as they visit a luxurious and very fancy hotel by a mysterious invitation. The hotel however, is not all that it seems, as it turns out you have all walked into a trap expertly laid by King Boo and his concierge ghosts. First off, the gameplay is not only fun, but really engaging too. The way you can switch between Luigi and Gooigi keeps the puzzles and levels super entertaining. Gooigi can walk through certain walls and access areas that Luigi can’t, so you have to think of ways to get to the next area that you may not have considered. Plus, once you figure out the route through the level, you feel great!
This game brought me so much happiness over the dreariness of lockdown Another thing I loved about this game was the bosses. Each floor of the haunted hotel Luigi
traverses through to reach his friends has a boss at the end of it. Sounds straightforward, right? Each boss has completely different attack patterns, new mechanics that aren’t just using the Poltergust G-00 (get it? G-00? Goo? Gooigi? No?). It keeps you guessing, while not being too difficult or frustrating. This game is hilarious. It’s supposed to be spooky: curtains blow, cupboard doors open and Luigi jumps and yells. It’s just funny. Walking around as this scaredy-cat whilst trying to find his friends makes for prime comedic content. This game brought me so much happiness over the dreariness of lockdown that it genuinely gave Animal Crossing: New Horizons a run for its money. This game is so different from other Mario games, and other Nintendo Switch games for that matter. The easy-but-not-too-easy gameplay, the comedy and the ability to play as Nintendo's least favorite plumber makes this game a complete hit.
Monday 19 October 2020
32
Puzzles
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Down
1. Band fronted by Phil Collins. (7) 4. Cocoon. (4)
1. Starting Monopoly space. (2) 2. Sodium chloride. (4) 3. Americanism for pavement. (8) 5. Crazy Eights-like card game. (3) 6. Writer. (6) 7. Nintendo console released in 2006. (3) 8. Spiky desert plant. (6) 10. Rolling in the Deep singer. (5) 11. Low temperature. (4) 15. Adding water to reduce potency. (6) 16. Frozen water. (3) 17. Blue Sky's animated film franchise. (3,3) 18. Treasure. (4) 19. Study of morals and values. (6) 20. Bowed string instrument. (5) 22. Bald, No hair on head. (4)
9. Indifferent. (9) 12. Capital of Norway. (4) 13. Furry aquatic mammal. (5) 14. 1992 Disney film. (7) 17. Small island. (4) 21. Firstborn child. (6) 23. Space explorer. (9) 24. Polynsian garland of flowers. (3) 25. 1966 FIFA World Cup champions. (7) 26. Opposite of a win. (4)
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Crossword
Monday 19 October 2020
Puzzles
33
Nonogram Colour in the cells in the grid according to the numbers on the sides of the grid to reveal a picture. The individual numbers in each row/ column are separated by spaces of 1 or more squares.
Notes
Easy
Word Wheel
Difficulty:
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Sodouku 19th October 2020
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Create as many words of 3 letters or more from the wheel. Each letter can only be used once and you must use the one in the middle of the wheel. Try to find the 9 letter word that uses all the letters. Goal: 30 words
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Monday 19 October 2020
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Sport
"Education needed" at Essex Cricket as beer poured over Muslim batsman The act came as a result of celebrations, after winning the Bob Willis Trophy Tom Moorcroft
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— Head of Sport
s Essex Cricket Club celebrated victory over Somerset in the Bob Willis Trophy Final on September 28th, their success was overlooked by an unfortunate incident. The team were ecstatic with their bottles of beer, which swiftly exploded over their balcony and over Muslim cricketer Feroze Khushi. The 22-year-old batsman, who only made his First-class debut earlier this year, was seen recoiling as his team mates poured beer in his direction. Alcohol is forbidden in Muslim cultures. Although not appearing in the final, Khushi played a significant role in the group stages of the tournament. The final did end in a tie, but Essex were crowned champions as they had a higher first innings score. In response to the event, the Essex Club Captain, Tom Westley issued a statement regarding their intent to
Tom Westley issued a statement regarding their hopes to educate players and avoid future controversy educate their players and avoid future controversy. “On behalf of myself and the team, we would like to apologise for any offence that was caused during our celebrations at Lord’s on Sunday”. “At Essex, we believe that we have built a strong dressing room culture that supports one another both on and off the field”. “As a group, we have come together today and discussed the event and on reflection, we are disappointed that we let this happen”. “Moving forward, the squad will be more responsible and aware of our actions and will continue to learn and develop with the help of the ECB and the PCA”.
Image: Twitter @nealmaupay18
Image: Twitter @EssexCricket
Euan's FPL Preview: who's in the mix for GW6? Need some more advice on who to have in your FPL this week? Resident expert Euan Morris has the answers for you
Euan Morris
W — FPL specialist
ith the FPL season well and truly underway, and millions of heads already rattled with FPL knowledge, I thought I'd share some of my insights ahead of Gameweek 6.
Liverpool vs Sheffield United Sheffield United haven’t looked the same defensively with without Dean Henderson and will also be without Jack O’Connell for the rest of the season. SHU have conceded the joint 6th highest shots on target (19) this season and conceded the 7th most shots in total (52). Salah is a great captaincy option as he has had the most shots inside the box (19) this season and has a xGI of 4.35, the highest in a game for a midfielder.
Salah is a great captaincy option
Aston Villa vs Leeds
Leeds have room to improve defensively this season, conceding 8 goals so far and having conceded the most shots inside the box (49). Ollie Watkins (5.9m) and John Mcginn (5.5m) both look like excellent value options. Grealish (7.1m) has recorded 2.57 shots inside the box per 90 this season and has had 28 penalty box touches, with only Sterling and Salah having more.
Leeds have room to improve defensively Brighton vs West Brom Brighton have looked much more free scoring this season, as Maupay (6.6m) has started well (4 goals, 1 assist). Maupay has had 5 big chances this season and has the third highest xGI of 4.04 for strikers. Brighton have had the 4th most big chances this season (10), whilst West Brom have conceded the second most big chances this season (12).
Wolves vs Newcastle Wolves narrowly missed out on European football this season, meaning Wolves players are more attractive FPL options as they are less prone to rotation due to less games. Nelson Semedo (5.5m) looked very dangerous and should’ve scored against Fulham if it weren’t for a fantastic save from
Areola. Semedo has recorded 29.87 final third touches per 90, highlighting how advanced Semedo plays as a wing back, only Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have had more. . Fulham vs Crystal Palace Crystal Palace have a strong run of fixtures ahead, including Fulham (A), Leeds (H), Newcastle (H) and West Brom (A) in their next 6 games.
Palace have a strong run of fixtures ahead Wilfred Zaha (7.2m) is a standout option and has shown how explosive he can be, scoring a brace against Manchester United. The Palace talisman has scored 3 goals and has had 8 shots in the box this season and at this price bracket, only Harvey Barnes (7.1m) has had more attempts in the box (11) than Zaha. In addition, Zaha is registered as a midfielder on FPL but is leading the line with Jordan Ayew in a 4-4-2, making Zaha a better FPL option.
West Ham vs Manchester City
Raheem Sterling (11.5m) is owned by just 6.4% of managers and is arguably the perfect differential for a premium FPL asset. The English international impressed against Leeds, returning a healthy 9 points and had the second most 30 penalty box touches this season, with only Salah having more (42), highlighting that Sterling has been getting into dangerous positions. Manchester City however have had a poor start to the season, dropping 2 points away to Leeds and a freak result at home to Leicester. Despite this, it has only taken 5.4 minutes for city to create a chance, which is very encouraging, as only Liverpool have bettered this (5 minutes per chance). Image: Twitter @ Nealmaupay18
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Monday 19 October 2020
Sport
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Handball or not handball? That is the question It's been stirring up conversations more so this season than any other, but is it killing or saving the sport? Phil Etchells
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— In favour of Handball
espite the upsetting rumours that the new handball rule might be “softened” in the coming weeks, I, personally, am very pleased with it. Alongside the brilliantly effective VAR, it is reminding us why the Premier League is the best in the world and is making a COVIDaffected season and its glorified training games very entertaining. So, what is the new rule? Well, for a start it’s not exactly a new rule – it’s been in effect in Europe since last season – and so, in a tribute to Brexit, England decided it had to do things slightly differently. Instead, the “new interpretation” of the old rule has been implemented from this season. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have precisely defined the new boundary for a handball offence as: “the bottom of the armpit”. This is clearly illustrated in the below graphic of what appears to be a bloke with a sore arm.
The IFAB have precisely defined the new boundary for handball as "the bottom of the armpit" Unfortunately, there has already been some backlash against the new rule. Moaning Mourinho climbed on his soapbox after Spurs’ game against Newcastle. He said Eric Dier was wrongly penalised in the 97th minute for waving his arm in the air and looking in the wrong direction. It was Dier’s fault for not seeing Andy Carroll sneak up behind him and skillfully head the ball onto his arm. The true injustice was in Manchester United’s second game of the season. They were drawing 2-2 away at Brighton, which wouldn’t have been a nice result for United. So thanks to this new rule, they were awarded a penalty in the 100th minute, after the final whistle had blown and the game had finished. This enabled Super Solskjaer and the Class of 2000 to collect their well-deserved three points.
It could finally be “his year” because this rule will allow him to show his true, still unseen potential as England’s number Nine After just four weeks and 30 games, six penalties have been awarded for handball – equalling the total from 380 games in 2017/18. At this rate, it’s been predicted that there will be over 70 penalties given for handball this season. Strikers, like the great Andy Carroll, will be licking their lips at the prospect of winning so many penalties.
Forget Calvert-Lewin, Southgate must take Carroll to the Euros for his majestic headers. Just think how many penalties he could win us, aiming at eight dangling defenders’ arms?
Andrew White
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— Against Handball
'm not not exaggerating when I say that the new handball rule is a disgrace. It’s absolutely nothing short of an injustice and an eyesore in the sport we love to call “the beautiful game.” Football is an art. What separates it from other sports is that feeling when your team scores. Basketball, rugby, cricket and countless other elite sports are high scoring. But the low-scoring nature feeling of football is what makes the feeling extra special and is what separates it from the rest.
The new handball rule alienates me even further from the natural feeling of the sport I fell in love with Since VAR was introduced, the feeling of scoring a goal has changed. And for the worse. There’s too much doubt, wondering “will it count?” and has meant that the spontaneous feeling has largely been lost. Defending is an art form that is becoming lost in modern football, with strong tackles regularly punished, any grappling being an instant foul and now it seems that defenders can’t even have the ball hit their hand in a “natural position”. For example, take the Eric Dier/Andy Carroll incident during the Tottenham vs. Newcastle match. Admittedly, I’m a Spurs fan, so this may come on a little strong, but Jamie Carragher said it best: “that decision is a disgrace”. A disgrace is exactly what it was, Andy Carroll was on the pitch for 15 minutes and made five penalty appeals for handball during that time. This is what modern football will look like.
Tottenham not winning that match, despite domination from the 1st minute, is nothing short of an injustice Eric Dier was jumping for a header, using his arm as leverage, when Carroll headed it onto his arm. The ball was behind Dier. How can that be a deliberate handball? The IFAB’s own guidelines state that “extra leeway will be granted in regards to ricocheted handballs, or if the player in question cannot see the ball.” So why is this not being applied? The blame lies with both VAR and the lawmakers. Tottenham not winning that match, despite domination from the 1st minute to the 90th minute, is nothing short of an injustice. Steve Bruce showed class after the game, arguing strongly that even he thought his Newcastle team should not have been awarded a penalty, and adding that the rule is “nonsense.” Yet, Steve Bruce is a smart man.
Carroll was instructed to make the most of that rule. We are only going to see more managers instruct players to aim at a players hand if they cannot score. Is a sport, where the best tactic is to aim at a player’s hand, one you want to watch? Is it a rule that adds excitement to the game? No. It’s a decision that brings anger and is alienating fans at the every level of the game. If this rule stays, it’s time to say: “lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful game.” Whilst only a few weeks in, this season
Tom Moorcroft
— How could it impact this season?
has already become dominated by one question: is it a handball? You can guarantee that if the balls comes so-much as a centimetre close to striking a player above the waist there’ll be a barrage of opposition players surrounding the referee, screaming claims of handball. So let’s just take a look at how many handballs we can expect over this Premier League season.
Image: YouTube via SkySports Image: Twitter @LastWordOnSpurs
Over the last 5 PL seasons, totaling 1,900 games, we’ve seen 472 penalties awarded, 66 for handball (I know this is a lot of math, stick with me). So, on average, 14% of all penalties were for handball.
At the current rate this season will see 292 penalties, with 88 awarded for handball Only 26 games into our current Premier League season we’d seen 20 penalties awarded, with 6 being for handball. That’s more than double the average for the last five seasons, meaning 30% of all penalties were awarded for handball.
Image: YouTube via CrystalPalaceTV
What more, at this current rate, we can expect 292 penalties this season, with 88 being awarded for handball. That seems like an insane amount – with this year set to host some unusual, and in most cases unfortunate, statistics. Absolutely bonkers or the modern game? It really is too early to tell. I'd hate for the beautiful game to be massively affected, and the future of our sport might be quite dire. When VAR first got introduced a couple seasons ago, it took us all a while to get used to it. but I can't see these handball rules becoming the norm anytime too soon. We all ahte the heartstopping moment when you see the referee run to the monitor and, 9 times out of 10, give a penalty. Will they change it? Time will tell.
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Monday 19 October 2020
Sport
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NFL faces new challenge amid COVID-19 fears With stadiums empty and COVID cases on the rise, could this season be over quicker than it even began? Sam Slater
A
— Sports sub-editor
merican sport is one of the nation’s most valuable industries. Popular both at home and abroad, there is no wonder that the sport’s authorities insisted on starting and finishing the 101st NFL season without delay. The pre-season, normally consisting of three or four friendly matches, was cancelled and the season began as scheduled. However, 66 players chose to opt-out, due to concerns over Covid-19. Plus, many teams have experienced injury crises, due to the lack of preseason, and so the NFL’s illusion of normalcy in a changed world does not stand up to scrutiny.
The NFL's illusion of normalcy in a changed world does not stand up to scrutiny Other sports adapted, as did football in Europe, following the decrease of the number of virus cases. The very American solution was to set up ‘biosecure bubbles’ at Disneyworld, Florida. The NBA and MLS continued without fear of outside contamination at ESPN’s
Wide World of Sports Complex. As the NFL season started on 10th September, the trend in Covid-19 cases again began to rise steadily. Stadiums remained empty, except for a select few, which allowed a small number of socially-distanced fans entry, depending on local case numbers. The league did not make it through the first month of action before an outbreak. The Tennessee Titan’s closed their facilities on 30th September, as 10 players and members of staff tested positive. Their opponents three days earlier, the Minnesota Vikings, likewise shut down their facilities but returned no positive results. The League hastily arranged a plan which meant that the Titans, and their next scheduled opponents the Pittsburgh Steelers, had their bye-weeks brought forward and the game was rearranged. The bye-week is a welcome break for teams during what is a physically gruelling season. It takes place because of the odd number of teams in the League. Re-arranging games during these weeks is not a viable solution for the NFL. For a start, the injury list has been unusually large already and removing a rest week is only likely to increase this. In addition, there is only one bye-week per team, so as soon as a team experiences a second postponement, problems arise. To make matters worse, one positive test is enough for a game to be postponed. The Denver Broncos visit to the New England Patriots, scheduled for 12th October, was postponed to the Broncos’ bye-week after just one positive test in their 52-man squad. This was in addition to Quarterback Cam Newton’s positive test a week earlier. The Broncos, who have been severely impacted by the injury crisis, were only told the day before the fixture that
their bye-week had been swapped. This meant their rest week had been taken up by practice for a game that would no longer be going ahead. What happens when bye-weeks are exhausted as an option to get around Covid outbreaks?
unlikely to change any time soon. As cases look to rise further in the coming months, only time will tell how the NFL
and the larger sporting world responds. Image: YouTube via ABC Sport
One positive test is enough for a game to be postponed A bubble system is largely unpopular in the League, and arguably for good reason. An NBA season, where games can be played during the week, can be scheduled relatively easily. The 32 NFL teams require far more organising. The physically demanding sport is deliberately scheduled to try and give teams a week between matches and to reduce injuries. In order to play the 16 fixures each week, there would need to be several NFL standard pitches in one facility that allows each team the space to train and play out the whole season. The alternative is probably the most realistic. As the trend of cases once again continues to grow across America, the relatively short NFL season may be its own saviour. A 17-week season (16 games and one bye-week per team), plus a play-off scheduled over five weeks, means only 22 weeks of the year host NFL games. Following the Super Bowl, the only remaining big event in the NFL calendar is the Draft in April, where teams choose the new players leaving College that year. It is feasible that the NFL season could run up to, or even beyond this point, if required. The United States response to Covid-19 has been largely criticised, and the political turbulence and aftermath of the election means it is
MLS team walk off pitch after homophobic incident Landon Donovan's San Diego Loyals walked off after a player recieved a homophobic slur Phil Etchells
— Sports sub-editor
On Wednesday 30 September San Diego Loyal, who play in the second tier of the USL Championship, walked off the pitch in protest of the homophobic comment made towards Martin. They were winning 3-1 in the first half against Phoenix Rising when the accused player, Junior Flemmings, made the comment. Collin Martin alerted the officials, but was mistakenly sent off in the following on-field spat. This led to both managers heatedly discussing the incident and although the referee rescinded Martin’s red card, manager Donovan was sent off. The referee claimed to not understand what the slur meant.
The referee claimed to not understand what the slur meant.
Loyal players returned after half time, but after taking a knee on the pitch, walked off when the referee blew his whistle to restart play. The San Diego side’s decision to protest and forfeit the match cost them the chance of reaching this season’s play-offs. After the Phoenix match, the Loyal said their players and coaches heard the homophobic slur, but neither the match officals or the Phoenix manager did anything in response when asked by Landon Donovan.
“The San Diego side’s decision to protest and forfeit the match cost them the chance of reaching this season’s play-offs. Former Everton and USA international, Donovan is the manager and executive vice-president of San Diego Loyals. The 38-year-old said of the incident: "Our guys, to their immense credit, said we were not going to stand for this. They were very clear in that moment that they were giving up all hopes of making the play-offs, even though they were beating one of the best teams in the league." "They said it doesn’t matter. There are things more important in life and we have to stick up for what we believe in." Donovan said his team "would not
stand" for bigotry, adding "if (others) are not willing to act, then we have to act."
"They said it doesn’t matter. There are things more important in life and we have to stick up for what we believe in." On Twitter, San Diego Loyal tweeted the following statement: "In the first half, a member of Phoenix Rising used a homophobic slur directed at Collin Martin. In response, we decided to walk off the pitch in protest." "Last week we made it loud and clear that we do not stand for racism or homophobia. Nothing has changed this week." The team later added: "We will speak. We will act." Indeed, Loyal experienced controversy in their previous game when they forfeited a match against LA Galaxy. This time their player, Elijah Martin, was the victim of alleged
racial abuse. However, Jamaican international Flemmings took to Twitter to rebuke the accusations and issued his own lengthy statement. He wrote:
Image: Twitter @SanDiegoLoyals
"At no point did I say a homophobic slur towards Collin Martin." "I do not know Collin personally, but I respect all of my opponents equally, Collin included. I stand in solidarity with the LGBT+ movement." The USL Championship said it had been made aware of the allegation and an investigation would be carried out. They added: "foul and abusive language of any type has absolutely no place in our society and will not be tolerated in USL matches." Flemmings has since been given a six match ban. Phoenix Rising said they "accepted and supported" the decision and apologised to all who had been affected by the incident. The 24-year-old has been placed on leave for the rest of his contract and given resources "so that he may become a model for change".
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Freddie Flintoff opens up on Bulimia struggles in BBC special In BBC Three's 'Living with Bulimia' England cricketer Freddie Flintoff opened up on his disorder, caused by his labelling as the "fat cricketer" Ethan Todd
F
— Sports contributor
reddie Flintoff, the England cricket icon and larger-thanlife television personality, has revealed his experiences suffering with the eating disorder ‘bulimia’ in the new BBC3 documentary Living With Bulimia. Bulimia nervosa, commonly known as bulimia, is a severe eating disorder which causes the affected person to binge eat and then make themselves sick shortly afterward. It can be caused by body shaming or identity issues. Flintoff admitted in the documentary that he “probably should get help” with the condition and has suffered with it for years. One of the major talking points of the documentary is the link between masculinity within sports and eating disorders. Freddie explained that his bulimic tendencies were triggered due to being labelled the “fat cricketer”. He said: This behaviour correlated with
a decrease in weight and better performances, but locked him in a toxic cycle. He admitted that he “enjoyed the results” of the condition, yet his masculine persona and the pressures of being in the spotlight made him believe that he “should be able to stop”. In the documentary, Flintoff also outlined the strain the eating disorder put on his marriage. He confessed that he had ‘lied a few times’ to her about his condition.
"[the labelling] was horrible. That was when I started doing it" The cricketer also discussed the stigma associated with being male and having bulimia, as well as the mental and physical effects it had on him. Approximately 1.25 million people in the U.K suffer with an eating disorder. It is estimated that 25% of these are males. Figures from the eating disorder charity, Beat. The 42-year-old has received widespread praise for speaking so openly about such an intimate and personal issue; with the aim of encouraging others living with the condition to seek help. Bulimia is often brushed aside by those suffering with it. Since Flintoff is such a well-known athlete, the documentary touches on the possibility that many other athletes may be also struggling
with the condition. What has struck a chord with many people, is Freddie’s bravery to speak so candidly about such a serious issue. Especially, given that it is often overlooked, due to the discreet nature of the condition, and his own social status. Viewers were quick to praise the Top Gear presenter, with one Twitter user calling him “brave, humble, honest’. Another added that Flintoff “made me realise it’s good to talk about it”. To contact the charity Beat: call the helpline 0808 801 0677. Lines are open every day from 9am to 8pm during the week. Nobody should have to suffer in silence with this disorder.
Image: Twitter @flintoff11
Eluid Kipchoge still reigns supreme despite 8th place finish Dramatic scenes in the London Marathon saw Kipchoge finish 8th, beaten by Ethiopian Kitata Emily Oakshott
I
— Sports contributor
In a shock result, 24-year-old Shura Kitata sprinted to victory in the London Marathon, leaving defending champion Eluid Kipchoge trailing behind in 8th
place. On Sunday, all eyes were on world record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, as he set out to defend his London Marathon title. Kipchoge made history in 2019, when he became the first person to run a marathon in under 2 hours, and was the clear favourite to win the prestigious event. However, with just 2 of the 19 laps remaining, Kipchoge fell behind and finished in 8th place – over 1 minute behind the race leaders.
"It was a shock for all of us. We had expected him [Kipchoge] to win by miles" British sprinter Mo farah
At the front of the race, the young Ethiopian Kitata fought hard against Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba and won in a dramatic sprint finish. He crossed the line with an impressive time of 2 hours,
5 minutes and 41 seconds.
When asked how he felt about taking Kipchoge’s title, race winner Kitata said: “Even though I am happy with my position yesterday, in my heart, he is still our champion.” He added: “Kipchoge
is the king of us, even if we beat him”. Speaking to the BBC, Kipchoge graciously accepted defeat, admitting that he had suffered from a blocked ear and trouble with his hip. He said: “I started off well. But I just got a slight problem with my right ear. It got
blocked, and I tried to do all necessary. I tried to hold back, but it was not possible. But this is sport. Today you are up, tomorrow you are down.” He went on to say that he accepted the result and wishes to “congratulate all finishers”.
While it was difficult to watch the much-loved reigning champion be dethroned, Sunday’s London Marathon was an exciting and action-packed event. And never fear, Kipchoge will undoubtably be back to contest the title Image: Twitter @LondonMarathon
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Monday 19 October 2020
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COURIER
Ranking every Premier League team's Transfer Window From ecstatic Everton to woeful West Ham, take a look at how every Premier League side fared this Transfer Window Oren Brown
— Sports contributor
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has added numerous complications and a whole new dynamic to the way English clubs have conducted business this year. Some clubs have thrived under these conditions, others not so much, and the Premier League has been a mixed bag in terms of tranfer business. With that being said, let’s take a look at each Premier League club’s summer transfer window, starting with the worst and working up to the best.
West Ham United Despite a promising start in the league, West Ham had a pretty awful window. With only one new face at the club and several departures, fans of the Hammers can be excused for their pessimism this season. Diangana’s departure says it all. 2/10
Manchester United Another year, another window of frustration for United fans. After missing out on Jadon Sancho, the Red Devils have been l e f t with a squad littered with deadwood. Van de Beek and Cavani are good
players, but they aren’t what the team needs. Several positions are crying out for improvement. 2/10
identical to the side that competed in the Championship. 4/10
Burnley
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Despite holding on to most of their key players, it has been a thoroughly unimpressive window for Burnley. Dale Stephens is the only signing of note at Turf Moor, entering the club as an uninspiring Jeff Hendrick replacement. Sean Dyche may have a difficult season ahead. 3/10
Diogo Jota is a significant loss and wonderkid Fábio Silva is possibly a bit of a gamble for £35 million. But holding on to Raúl Jiménez is probably enough for Wolves fans this season. They don’t necessarily look stronger than last season, but could still impress. 5/10
Sheffield United The Blades are arguably weaker than last season, with star keeper Dean Henderson returning to Manchester United after his remarkable loan spell. Their big signing is the exciting prospect of Rhian Brewster – but the 20-year old has never even made a Premier League appearance. 3/10
Fulham A team with a recent history of poor recruitment, Fulham look destined for relegation once again this season. Whilst they have snapped up some interesting names, such as Andersen and LoftusCheek, they haven’t strengthened as well as they would have liked. 4/10
Brighton & Hove Albion Fans of the Seagulls have been left wanting after a fairly underwhelming window, with injury-prone Adam Lallana their only marquee signing. The first team doesn’t appear much stronger than last season, and with a potential relegation battle ahead, Brighton would have wanted a bit more from the window. 4/10
West Bromwich Albion Despite making some good signings, West Brom haven’t really improved – their best buys this summer were on loan at the club last season. They can be pleased with their purchases, but the reality is, their squad is almost
Manchester City After the remarkable Lionel Messi transfer saga fizzled out, Man City failed to sign a target anywhere near as exciting. Aké, Dias and Torres all look solid, but City’s business doesn’t resemble that of a team desperate to win back the title. 5/10
Southampton The Saints have had a quiet window this summer, which could potentially come back to bite them or see them continue as they have done in recent months. Theo Walcott’s homecoming is an interesting one, but Southampton will miss Højbjerg. 5/10
Crystal Palace
Wilfried Zaha remains a Palace player and that alone is massive. However, the Eagles have barely made any other additions, with their team looking scarcely different from that of last season’s. Eze, their marquee signing, looks promising but is unproven at the top level. 6/10
Leicester City Leicester have made some decent changes this season to improve their team, with Fofana and Under both looking like exciting prospects. Chillwell is unlikely to be overly missed, with Castagne filling in as a very solid replacement. 6/10
Liverpool Thiago Alcântara is a brilliant signing, but with Liverpool keen to keep finances in check, there is little improvement elsewhere. Despite not losing anyone crucial to the team, the champions may struggle to emulate their title challenge with the same intensity as last season. 7/10
Newcastle United In an uncharacteristically solid window under Mike Ashley, Newcastle have enlisted a proven Premier league goalscorer in Callum Wilson, as well as the safe bets of Fraser, Hendrick and Lewis. Nevertheless, you can’t help thinking about what the window could have been like under new owners. 7/10
Aston Villa After looking destined for relegation last season, Villa have managed to significantly improve their side in the hope of securing Premier League safety. Barkley and Watkins look like quality business, and to top it off, Grealish remains at Villa Park. 7/10
excellent piece of business. 9/10
Everton Following a complete midfield overhaul, Everton have looked their best in years. James Rodríguez is possibly the signing of the summer. Godfrey has bolstered their defence and the weak-link of Pickford has been given goalkeeper competition in the form of Robin Olsen. Essentially, the Toffees have done remarkable business and look frightening this season. 10/10
"I have that kind of winning mentality - I know how to win trophies" Bale on his impact at Spurs
Arsenal Holding onto Aubameyang may be Arsenal’s best piece of business in recent years, made even sweeter by the acquisitions of Gabriel and Partey. Yet, Arsenal still look an unfinished side and they failed to clear out some of their deadwood. 8/10
Chelsea Questions of squad cohesion aside, Chelsea’s summer was impressive. Over £200 million has gone into an array of big name signings, with the club intent on making up for last year’s transfer ban. Despite this, it is clear that the Blues have only papered over the cracks of their defensive frailty. 8/10
Leeds United The Whites have made a statement of intent with their spending this summer, bringing in a host of new players for their return to the top division. Having strengthened in virtually every department, Leeds look one of the most exciting prospects for the new season. 8/10
"I am looking forward to achieving great things here - to win things" James Rodriguez on signing for the Toffees
Tottenham Hotspur When factoring in money spent and areas strengthened, Spurs have done as well as anyone. On a relatively low budget, José Mourinho has identified the weaknesses in his team and reinforced them, with Gareth Bale’s return to the club representing an Image: Twitter @TimoWerner
Image: Twitter @GarethBale11 Image: Twitter @Jamesdrodriguez
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Schumacher vs Hamilton: who’s the greatest F1 driver of all time? Image: Youtube via Top Stats
Many drivers have come and gone, but these two have defintely left their mark Lucy Rimmer
L
— Courier F1 expert
ewis Hamilton has officially matched Michael Schumacher’s record of the most race wins, with each driver having won 91 races throughout their career. Hamilton equalled Schumacher’s record, set in 2006, after winning the Eifel Grand Prix in Germany on October 11. He is likely to be setting his own record before the end of the 2020 season. Michael Schumacher’s son, Mick, presented the Mercedes driver with one of his father’s helmets after the race. It was a beautiful way to honour Schumacher’s records and could be seen as the ‘baton’ being passed on to Hamilton. He can now go on and set a new record himself.
of legacy. Schumacher had always been known as somewhat ‘legendary’, but this may have been further exacerbated by his tragic accident and the nostalgia surrounding him. Many of the drivers on the grid today, such as Sebastian Vettel, have spoken about watching F1 growing up and remembering After the race, Hamilton described Schumacher consistently winning in his Schumacher as “an icon and legend of bright red Ferrari. Hamilton took to Twitter to discuss the sport.” Statistically speaking, it is safe to say his relationship with Schumacher. "I remember watching Michael as both drivers are legendary, but here are a kid, winning all those races and I some interesting stats: • Schumacher started 306 races; was just dreaming of being there myself. Hamilton has started 261 It shows • Schumacher "Dreams really can dreams really won 7 world can come championships; come true" true. Hamilton has 6 A and will likely Hamilton on butting heads with big, big equal the record Schumacher at the top thank this season you to @ • Lewis Hamilton is the only driver to win at SchumacherMick, this was least one race in every season of his F1 truly a surreal moment. One that i’ll remember forever" career I’m sure this same sense of • Schumacher started a race in pole position 68 times; Hamilton has 96 iconic status will surround Hamilton when he retires, times (the most of any driver) When talking about sporting legends, but while we can still watch it is important to explore the concept him week on week, there is
Schumacher’s son, Mick, presented Hamilton with one of his father’s helmets
no nostalgia surrounding h i m . Howe ve r, the children who watch
Formula 1 today will idolise Hamilton as an untouchable hero, in the same way that Schumacher is. It will always be controversial to compare athletes across eras, but it is equally difficult in the context of F1 because of a driver’s reliance on their car. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that both drivers were in the best car on their respective tracks. Schumacher was, and Hamilton still is, the best driver on their respective grids.
Image: Twitter @ LewisHamilton
INSIDE SPORT TODAY
Fantasy Premier League
Hectic handball
Transfer Trauma
Struggling with your picks ahead of Gameweek 6? Euan Morris has the answers... Page 35
Our writers disect what impact the new handball regulations are having on the sport we love. Page 36
How did you team fare this Transfer Window? Take a look at our round-up! Page 38