Issue 781

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987

Survey reveals student’s attitudes towards menstruation at the University of Exeter

Amberly Wright & Lani Elatta Deputy Editor

UNICEF estimate that at any given time, around 26 percent of the world’s population will menstruate. Many complications can arise from a menstrual cycle, such as endometriosis, which occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body, leading to inflammation, pain, and difficulty conceiving. It is estimated that one in ten of those assigned female at birth suffer from endometriosis, equating to 176 million people worldwide. Endometriosis UK says it takes an average of eight years and ten months from an initial GP visit to get a diagnosis. PCOS, which stands for polycystic ovary syndrome, is a similar condition, where the ovaries become enlarged and contain many follicles that surround the eggs. This leads to irregular periods, difficulties conceiving due to the lack of ovulation, painful periods, and fluctuating hormone levels. It took Amberly, our Deputy Editor, four years of GP visits to get her PCOS diagnosis, with her being prescribed several methods of contraception and unsuccessful pain relief to alleviate her pain, before finally being referred to have an ultrasound. While endometrial tissue and ovarian cysts can be removed, there are risks that they will grow back, therefore there are currently no

cures for either endometriosis or PCOS.

Wellbeing of Women, a charity that aims to break down period stigma, found that over half of women and girls had been shamed for their period, with 32 percent saying it had happened more than once. Their ‘Just a period’ survey revealed that women wait an average of 22 months between abnormal period symptoms starting and seeing a medical professional. Further, only one in ten women could identify all of the signs of abnormally heavy bleeding, while ten percent of women experienced bleeding that affected their day-to-day activities. The survey further demonstrated that 97 percent of women and girls experience painful periods, with 42 percent saying their pain is extreme.

A study by the University of Exeter and University of Bristol found 27 percent of girls has a lower change of achieving five GCSE passes, due to lower levels of attendance and attainment. These results show that heavy bleeding and painful periods aren’t just a myth — there are real people behind each statistic. The survey revealed that over 40 percent of girls felt sad and unmotivated whilst on their period, with over 30 percent feeling anxious, depressed, insecure about their self-image, and angry. A further 19 percent felt lonely. Regarding their everyday impact, 20 percent of women said they were unable get out of bed when on their period, and over one out of three girls missed days from school and education due to feeling unwell.

Exeposé asked University of Exeter

students who menstruate for their opinions on menstruating. Among the 84 students who answered the survey, disruption to learning was common. 61.9 percent said they had missed a lecture or seminar because of their period this academic year. Beyond missing classes, many students reported interruptions during teaching. 53.6 percent said they had left a lecture or seminar to check for leakage. Reflecting when students are physically present, they still may be unable to fully participate or concentrate while on their period.

Time spent on campus was also significantly affected. 78.6 percent of respondents said they had cut studying on campus short due to their period. This is the highest figure recorded in the survey and points to a widespread impact on study routines, particularly outside of timetabled teaching. This is especially detrimental when considering these students may well have been trying to catch up on work they’ve missed because of their period too.

78.6 percent of respondents said they had cut studying on campus short due to their period.

Coursework has also been affected, although to a lesser extent. 22.6 percent of students reported requesting an extension as a direct result of their

period. It is important to note that this smaller figure may be due to the fact that students may not feel this is a valid reason.

22.6 percent of students reported requesting an extension as a direct result of their period.

Rose, your Communities and Equality Officer, is advocating for changes to mitigation for those who menstruate. She said, “Nearly 500 of you shared your experiences of menstrual health support at Exeter, and it’s clear there’s more we need to do together to get this right. Managing your menstrual health alongside everything else university brings can be challenging, and you deserve support that feels accessible, understanding, and consistent when you need it most.”

“I’m taking your feedback forward as part of ongoing, constructive conversations with the University. Together, we want to explore what more effective, compassionate support could look like — from clearer mitigation and ILP processes and more flexible exam arrangements, to staff training that helps you feel confident and comfortable asking for help. This is the start of that process. I’ll continue to work with the University to push for meaningful, practical changes with your voices at the heart.”

Continued on page 3

Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4

Editors

Print: Kayleigh Swart and Emily Sara Rizzo

Online: Harry Morrison and Zandie Howells

Print Deputies: Amberly Wright, Lauren Walsh and Nina Exton

Online Deputies: Michelle Chung and Daniel Grayshon editors@exepose.com

News Editors

Print: Isabella Brooks and Daisy Newbury

Online: Zandie Howells news@exepose.com

Features Editors

Print: Ria Brown-Aryee and Bethany Last Online: Lucas Taylor-Kent features@exepose.com

Climate Editors

Print: Poppy Fellows

Online: Freddy Purcell climate@exepose.com

Comment Editors

Print: Tom Richardson and Lucas Eley

Online: Orlando McKillop and Lucy Parsons comment@exepose.com

Satire Editors

Print: Christopher Lyndsay

Online: Daniel Grayshon satire@exepose.com

Lifestyle Editors

Print: Yasmine Al-Saket

Online: Hayley Bell and Sofia Tapia lifestyle@exepose.com

Editors

Arts & Lit

Print: Isabel Bratt and Amber Platel

Online: Zoe Fry artsandlit@exepose.com

Music Editors

Print: Sarah Gould and Katie Roberts

Online: Amelie Marah and Maya Dallal music@exepose.com

Screen Editors

Print: Beth Casey and Charlotte Isbell

Online: Kyle Cleary and Lachlan Evans screen@exepose.com

International Editors

Print: Jed H. Gibbins and Antoni Kałduński Online: Anoushka Dutta and Lola Milroy-Tompkins international@exepose.com

Sci-Tech Editors

Print: Julia Szewczyk

Online: Anna Tennant and Rosie Merritt

sci-tech@exepose.com

Sport Editors

Print: Annabel Gowling Online: Connor Myers sport@exepose.com

Social Media Executive: Megan Wynn

Finance Executive:Orlando McKillop

Welfare Executive: Sophia Cuschieri

Events Executive: Audrey Yuen

Podcast producers: Harry Morrison and Alannah Driscoll

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WE cannot believe that this is the last issue of term but somehow it is almost Easter holidays! This is also the second-to-last issue with the current committee ever! So, we're all pretty emotional in the media office right now.

We also want to say a big fat congrats to our 26/27 commitee that has just been elected. We just know they're going to be amazing!

We are also going to run by-elections over the holiday to fill in a few extra roles so if you wan to join the team next year, make sure you have your membership!

If there's an important issue at the University or in Exeter that we've missed, please email us at editors@exepose.com.

In this issue, News investigates how periods affect academics and covers the recent Holi celebration on campus. Climate spotlights beavers and Satire looks at some mother's day cards written by iPad kids. In Exhibit, Lifestyle shares a Exeter summer bucket list, Arts & Lit reviews some of the local shows, and Music writers share some of the worst songs. In International look at South African wine farms and in SciTech talks about the gender pain gap. If you can't get enough of Exeposé, you can check out our podcast and website which is updated on a weekly basis! Once again, thank you so much to all our editors, writers and general helpers who work so

hard to make this paper possible! Happy reading, and we hope everyone manages to get some rest over the holidays...even if you have a dissertation to write like us!

Emily and Kayleigh

University news home and abroad

Middle East Universities disrupted as conflict widens

FOLLOWING the surprise launch of drone attacks on Iran, coordinated by both the USA and Israel on the 28th of February, scores of universities across countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council have had to face detrimental consequences. The decision to shut doors of private and public academic institutions across the Middle East was initially instigated by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, forcing students to convert to remote learning. Approaches to education across the Middle East from Israel to the UAE currently vary. The United Arab Emirates continues with a nationwide ‘distance education system’, while other countries such as Iraq have declared a ‘public holiday for all schools and universities’. There still remains uncertainty on how the US-Israel-Iran conflict will affect ‘international students and their families’, Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, UNESCO Science Prize laureate stated to University World News

Professors scramble to save critical thinking in an age of AI

ARTIFICAL Intelligence has the potential to power new scientific developments, processing big data sets quickly and effectively. But for the humanities, AI represents an ever-increasing threat to critical thinking.

The academic world especially has struggled to adapt as AI has brought up questions about the value of higher education. Whilst many universities are embracing AI and introducing it into their learning system, some professors have concerns about the difficulty and added labour in ‘AI-proofing’ assessments. If students graduate without their degree’s creativity and critical thinking skills, how will they become employed in this ever more competitive job market?

Students are right to question loans, says UEA head

FOLLOWING recent conversations about Plan 2 loans, issued between 2012 and 2023, that were criticised for their high interest rates, a university head says it is ‘fair’ that new undergraduates question the affordability of the student loans they take out.

An estimated 5.8 million people took out Plan 2 student loans, and they are now being criticised for their high interest rates. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has indicated she wants to reform the system, under pressure from some Labour MPs.

Professor David Maguire, Vice- Chancellor of the University of East Anglia (UEA) says that despite recent changes to Plan 2 loans, evidence showed that university was still ‘a very good deal’. He stated that speaking out was not ‘dissuad ing’ people from applying to UEA.

UK counter-extremism plan aims to address hatred on campus

THE UK government has launched ‘Protecting What Matters’, an action plan to create a safer society by tackling extremism, including on university campuses. The overall aim is to create a ‘more confident, cohesive and united country’.

The government will work with the Office for Students (OfS) to bring “clear and concise” information on a complaint into a single online portal, giving staff, students and others quick and easy access to the organisations best placed to support them.

New measures include stronger monitoring of campuses, improved Prevent duty compliance, and a new Cohesion Charter co-designed with students.

A fresh framework covering both violent and non-violent extremism will come into force in early 2027. The plan addresses record levels of both antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes. Measures include record security funding for Jewish institutions, a new review into anti-semitism in schools, and the adoption of a formal definition of anti-Muslim hostility for the first time.

‘Periods are a familiar topic even among those who don’t experience them’

Continued from the front page

ADDITIONALLY,

the survey also explored how comfortable students feel discussing if their period is bothering them with peers who do not experience them. The results were quite evenly divided. Around 40.5 percent of respondents said they feel uncomfortable, while 41.7 percent said they feel comfortable. A more positive reading can be taken when looking at practical support. 68.6 percent of students said they would feel comfortable asking peers for painkillers or sanitary products, compared to 14.4 percent who said they would not. This points to a student environment where, despite some hesitation around discussing periods openly, there seems to be a willingness to offer and receive everyday support.

The results were quite evenly divided. Around 40.5 percent of respondents said they feel uncomfortable

A second survey, which gathered 22 responses from people who have never or do not currently experience periods, provides context for these experiences. In this survey, 90.9 percent of responders identified as male, while 9.1 percent identified as female. When asked about their knowledge of periods, such as symptoms and how often they occur, most respondents felt at least somewhat informed. 50 percent placed themselves in the middle of the scale, while a further 45.4 percent rated their

knowledge more highly. Only 4.5 percent said they had little understanding. Suggesting periods are a familiar topic even among those who don’t experience them. Comfort levels discussing periods were also relatively high. 68.2 percent said they would feel comfortable if someone told them they were on their period, although 22.7 percent reported some level of discomfort and 9.1 percent were unsure. Similarly, 77.3 percent disagreed with the idea that periods should be kept private, indicating that most respondents are open to discussion in theory. However, this confidence does not always extend to understanding the impact of periods in practice. When asked whether people are more likely to make mistakes while on their period, responses were divided. 45.4 percent disagreed, but 27.3 percent agreed and an equal proportion were unsure. A similar pattern appears when it comes to support. Only 31.8 percent said they felt confident in knowing how to help a partner who is on their period. Half said they felt only somewhat confident, and 18.2 percent said they would not know what to do. While there is a general willingness to be supportive, many are not fully sure how that support should look.

It was interesting to note the views on how people perceived periods to impact behaviour, 40.9 percent of respondents said they find themselves arguing more with someone when they are on their period, while an equal 40.9 percent disagreed, and 18.2 percent were undecided. Despite this, most respondents rejected more negative assumptions. 77.3 percent disagreed that periods are used as an excuse too often, and 86.4 percent said they would not avoid working with someone on their period in a group setting. The survey also explored how respondents

who do not have periods may feel about intimacy when their partner is on their period. Especially since this is already an issue those with periods are no doubt thinking about, studies have repeatedly shown that people’s sexual desire, self- esteem and selfperceived attractiveness reduces dramatically during the menstrual phase. The results of the survey show a general understanding of periods and sexual activity. 68.2 percent of respondents said they do not mind at all if a partner does not want to have sex due to their period, and a further 13.6 percent said they are only slightly bothered. Only small numbers reported moderate or high frustration, suggesting that most people accept these boundaries without issue.

In response to “If you said yes to the ‘I would avoid working on a group project with someone on their period’ statement, why do you feel this way?” Students said they felt individuals

who menstruate miss deadlines, have a lower quality of work and are less amenable to group discussions. Additionally, an individual also said they felt those who menstruate are “less likely to be able to sleep with them afterwards if they have an emotional perception of me.”

Students said they felt individuals who menstruate miss deadlines, have a lower quality of work and are less amenable to group discussions

Many students gave advice on how to help. One student, Oliver, said "My partner is on the contraceptive pill, and so her periods are lighter, and she has a degree of control over them. Though, having had to answer this question, I realise it is not a conversation we have had, so I suppose I feel confident with knowing that our communication is strong enough that I can support her more if our situation changes. I need to discuss though!"

Another student said “Firstly ask what they need or what they feel, then offer certain things that could alleviate pain (such as water, warming pad, mild painkillers). Be sensitive and caring,” while another student offered tips on cramps; “Get them a hot water bottle and give lower back rubs to help with cramps. Also understanding how their emotions change so being understanding and non-judging.”

Ed said “I think early in relationships it is harder to know exactly how to help but these things have become clearer for me as I have gotten further into relationships

and understood my partner better. In my experiences helping by not planning high activity days during days two and three of their period. As well as generally providing additional care and carrying out the vast majority of labour.”university had “worked diligently to deliver teaching and student support in unprecedented circumstances”.

A University of Exeter spokesperson said: “We understand how stressful it can be to take exams and complete assessments while coping with health issues and circumstances that impact personal comfort and wellbeing, and we will always listen to ideas from students and the Students' Guild about how we can best support those in that situation.

“We have a comprehensive approach to mitigation, including supporting evidence free mitigation. We welcome the work Rose is undertaking and we are discussing the results of the survey with her to inform our regular consideration about our mitigation policies and how we can better communicate support to supports.”

Our findings show that periods can shape everyday student life, from attendance and study routines to social interactions and wellbeing. While many students manage these challenges quietly, the surveys suggest that support from peers and understanding from those who do not experience periods can make a real difference. Recognising the practical and emotional impact of menstruation, and fostering an environment where students feel comfortable seeking help, could help make university life more inclusive and manageable for everyone.

Lauren Walsh Deputy Editor

AT the beginning of the month the University of Exeter hosted their own celebration of the festival Holi, also known as the ‘Festival of Colours’.

A Hindu festival originating in India, Holi marks the beginning of

University Holi Celebration

spring, and celebrates love and new life. It also commemorates the love between the Hindu gods Radha and Krishna, as well as the story of Holika and Prahlada. Holika is Prahlada’s aunt and tries to kill him because he worships Lord Vishnu. Her plan backfires and Holika dies in a fire, instead of Prahlada as was her plan, and this is why bonfires are lit the night before Holi in some regions of India.

UoE offers

Kayleigh Swart Editor-in-Chief

THE University of Exeter has announced that they will be offering a new degree apprenticeship for Nursing Associates. This qualification, which has just been approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), will allow nursing associates to upskill and progress their careers. The programme is designed to last 16 months and be an earn-while-you-learn qualification.

But the part of the celebration that most people are probably more familiar with is the colour: powder paint is thrown in the air, and at each other, resulting in fun, colourful chaos.

Holi lasts a night and a day in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which is around the middle of March, and this year the festival took place from sundown of the third of March to the sunrise of the fifth of March. The university celebrations took place a few days later on Saturday 7th March, on the lawn outside the Xfi building, organised with the Exeter Indian Society and Exeter Asian Society.

In her student blog on the university website, MA student Suproja said of the university celebration, “It was a reminder of how much importance the university places on its international community, creating spaces where traditions from across the world can be shared, celebrated, and experienced together.”

Rose, your Communities and

Equality Officer, said, “Holi, a Hindu Festival, is a celebration of colour, culture, communityand joy, and it’s incredible to see our Hindu student community bringing that energy to campus. This is exactly what student communities at Exeter are all about, creating spaces where people celebrate their cultural traditions and share them with others. Celebrations like

Holi build connection, spark curiosity and bring people together across different backgrounds, that’s our student community at its best! We’re proud to support and amplify student-led cultural celebrations like this one. They’re what make Exeter feel like home for more people and a reminder that moments like these are the backbone of your university experience.”

new Nursing Associates degree apprenticeship

The programme is designed to last 16 months and be an earn-while-you-learn qualification

In particular, the UoE wanted to make sure this apprenticeship was accessible to a wide range of students, so the curriculum has been designed with that in mind. It is also designed so

students can continue to care for patients while completing the course. A large majority of the teaching will take place online, while any campus learning will take place in blocks of time. This will allow students to not have to worry about relocation or additional travel.

The course will cover various different aspects such as: health justice and community care; evaluation, improvement and research approaches; nursing practice; nursing theory into practice; innovation in nursing leadership and management and

complete a clinical innovation project.

The programme will be open to all Nursing Associates across the UK who hold a NMC approved qualification.

In a press release by the University, Elle Hammond, the project lead said: “I’m delighted to be able to say our new programme has been formally accredited by the NMC — it’s the result of a significant amount of work across the team. Our visions has always been to support the NHS workforce with their need for more nurses. This pathway will strengthen professional

identity and cultivate the leadership, accountability, responsibility, and courage needed to deliver safe, efficient, and person-centred care. Our learners will bring a wealth of experience and practical skills, and we want to build on this strong foundation by supporting their progression through a tailored programme that combines a Russell Group education with extensive clinical experience in the workplace.”

The first cohort is said to begin in April 2026, with applications having closed in mid-March.

UoE extends partnership with Natural England

Kayleigh Swart

Editor-in-Chief

THE University of Exeter has recently extended their partnership with Natural England. The formal agreement was signed on the third of March between Professor Sallie Bailey and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts.

The formal agreement was signed on the third of March between Prof. Sallie Bailey and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts

Natural England are the Government's advisers for all things environment in England. Their aim is to restore the natural world in England. They are classed as an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the department for environment, food and rural affairs.

The UoE has laid out the aims of the partnership, which are as follows: improve knowledge exchange and data sharing; put research into practice; look at the overlap between nature; the economy and society and how we can address those challenges and work across national borders with in and outside of the UK.

Their aim is to restore the natural world in England

In a press release by the University, Professor Sallie Bailey, Natural England’s Chief Scientist, said: “Our collaboration with the University of Exeter supports our ambition to secure thriving nature as the foundation for the nation’s health, wealth and security. This partnership brings together two organisations with a focus on excellent science and evidence…Working with University of Exeter strengthens and complements our own expertise and together we can innovate to develop solutions for nature’s recovery.”

Exeter based tech company has aircraft training tool approved

Kayleigh Swart Editor-in-Chief

AN EXETER based tech company has just received approval for their virtual reality training system to be used in aviation training. The company Cineon is a tech company in Exeter that aims to build ethical evidence-based software that interprets human movement data.

approval for their virtual reality training system to be used in aviation training

Their latest system, called TACET, uses VR and eye-tracking to train aircrew during aircraft safety inspections — also known as

Image: Melissa Swift

walkarounds. This technology has just been approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This is the first time VR has been approved to be used for training by the CAA. It will now be used for pilots and aviation staff training. The preflight walkaround is an important part of flight safety, however it is not always easy to recreate during training situations. This is because there are many conditions, such as weather,

that can’t always be recreated. The aim of the system is to recreate real conditions that aviation staff will face.

However, it is not always easy to recreated during traning situations

The CEO of Cineon said in a statement: “Approval of TACET walkaround by the CAA represents a breakthrough for aviation training. It demonstrates that immersive and data-led approaches can not only meet but exceed regulatory standards”.

immersive and data-led approaches can not only meet but exceed regulatory standards

Marco Agolzer Friends of Hoopern Valley

LOWER Hoopern Valley, just south of Streatham Campus, is a 38-acre green space that most students walk right past on their way in. Home to woodland, open grassland and Taddiforde Brook, it’s a designated County Wildlife Site, and the University is working to enhance its biodiversity and open it up to wider community use.

Home to woodland, open grassland and Taddiforde Brook

Friends of Hoopern Valley (FoHV)

Get involved in Hoopern Valley this spring

is a student- and resident-led charity formed to support the University’s management of Hoopern Valley. Founded in 2024 by six students and six local residents, FoHV bridges the gap between the University and the wider community. We bring students and local residents together to look after this shared green space through events, activities and volunteering.

This April, FoHV is helping to organise several events as part of the City Nature Challenge (24-27 April), a global citizen-science event where cities compete to log the most wildlife observations using iNaturalist, a free recording app. Alongside Universityled events including a moth trap collection session and a reptile walk, we're running a scavenger hunt and an evening bat walk. Everything is free, open to everyone and no experience is needed. There’s also an insect safari coming up on 17th May. It’s

Athe perfect excuse to get outside and see what's actually living in the valley.

This April, FoHV is helping to organise several events

If you’d like to be more involved, we’re recruiting next year's Board of Trustees, for roles including Co-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Safeguarding, and Communications. It’s a chance to gain hands-on experience in leadership, governance and budgeting, all directly relevant skills if you’re heading into law, policy, sustainability or the charity sector. Find us on Instagram @ friendsofhoopernvalley or visit hoopernvalley.org to get involved and keep up to date with upcoming events.

Meningitis: Symptoms and how to get help

RECENT outbreak of Meningitis in Kent has brought the disease into the news in the past few days. Meningitis is a serious infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. While the NHS are currently reporting that the risk of infection to those outside of Kent remains low, knowing the symptoms

and acting quickly is key to treatment. Symptoms of the disease can appear in any order, and not everyone will get each one. Things to look out for include: fever; vomiting; headache; stiff neck; sensitivity to bright lights; drowsiness or unresponsiveness; seizures and a rash that does not fade when a glass is press over it (this may be harder to see on black or

brown skin). If you suspect you have any of these symptoms you should contact the NHS immediately. You can call 111 to speak to a healthcare professional, or 999 in an emergency. Additionally, if you suspect you have meningitis you should also go to A&E. If a friend or flatmate is unwell, make sure to keep checking on them and get medical help

if their condition gets worse.

Vaccines for Meningitis are available, although if you went to secondary school in the UK, you should have gotten this vaccine at around thirteen years old. You can check your vaccine record on the NHS app. If you are not vaccinated, you can get a free vaccine through the Student Health Centre on Streatham

campus. However, the vaccine doesn't cover every strain of meningitis and you should still be aware, even if you have been vaccinated. While the current chances of this outbreak spreading to Exeter are low, knowing the symptoms and what to do can save lives.

UK and Iran: Keir Starmer’s tough decision

Suhaib Shaukat assesses the United Kingdom’s dilemma over Iran

ON 28th February, the United States (US) and Israel conducted strikes on Iran to bring about a regime change, which now looks increasingly difficult. Since then, war has engulfed multiple regions, from the Gulf to Europe, on multiple fronts. The United Kingdom (UK), a close ally of the US with a history of strategic relations, is playing a significant role in shaping the war by deploying its military to aid its partners in the Middle East. The United Kingdom finds itself in a familiar but uncomfortable position caught between its closest ally, the United States, and a domestic political environment deeply wary of another Middle Eastern conflict. As tensions escalate, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has so far opted for a cautious middle path. The UK has agreed to allow the use of British military bases for defensive strikes on Iranian missile infrastructure. Still, it has stopped short of committing to a broader military campaign. This limited cooperation reflects both strategic calculation and political caution. Pressure from Washington has been significant from Donald Trump, as the administration

has pushed allies to demonstrate solidarity in confronting Iran. For the US, coalition participation helps legitimise military action and distribute the operational burden, but for the UK, the decision to escalate beyond defensive support carries enormous political and strategic risks. Starmer’s hesitation has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents at home. Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition, has accused the Prime Minister of weakness, arguing that Britain’s current stance amounts to “catching arrows rather than stopping the archer.” Her critique reflects a view within parts of the Conservative Party that

the UK should take a more decisive role alongside the US, both to deter Iran and to maintain the credibility of the Anglo-American alliance. Starmer’s caution may be rooted in lessons from history. The legacy of the Iraq War still looms large over British politics. Public trust in government justifications for military intervention remains fragile, and there is little appetite among voters for another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER HAS SO FAR OPTED FOR A CAUTIOUS MIDDLE PATH

Public opinion is therefore a critical constraint. While many Britons support maintaining strong ties with the United States, support for active military participation tends to drop sharply when the potential human and financial costs become clear. In a political climate already shaped by economic pressures and domestic policy challenges,

committing to a major foreign war could prove politically costly for the government. On the other hand, the risks are considerable. Direct involvement could expose the UK to retaliatory attacks, including cyber operations, terrorism, or disruptions to global energy markets that would affect British consumers. It could also strain relations with European allies who may favour diplomatic solutions over military escalation. Additionally, a prolonged conflict could place further strain on Britain’s already stretched defence resources.

Starmer’s challenge, therefore, lies in balancing alliance commitments with domestic political realities and long-term national interests. His cautious approach may frustrate critics who demand clearer support for the US, but it reflects the complexity of a decision that could reshape Britain’s role on the global stage. Whether restraint ultimately proves wise or indecisive will depend largely on how the crisis with Iran unfolds — and whether diplomacy can succeed where military action threatens to escalate the conflict further.

The harsh reality of African soldiers fighting in Russia

Ria Brown-Aryee, Features Editor,

discusses the treatment of African soldiers in Russia

IN recent months, disturbing videos have resurfaced online, highlighting the brutal treatment of African soldiers fighting in Russia. One particularly disturbing clip features a soldier named Francis Ndung’u Ndarua, shown with a bomb strapped to his chest as a Russian soldier hurls racist profanity at him. Viewers can see the fear and reluctance in Francis, depicting the reality of a man forced to fight in a conflict that is not his own. Francis represents just one of many African soldiers who have found themselves thrust into the chaos of a war they were deceived into joining.

ONE OF MANY AFRICAN SOLDIERS WHO HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES THRUST INTO THE CHAOS OF A WAR THEY WERE DECEIVED INTO JOINING

According to Larry Madowo, a CNN correspondent covering the story, these young men come from various African countries including Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. Many of them report being coerced into the Russian military under false pretences. They were promised stable jobs as drivers, plumbers, or electricians, only to arrive in Russia and be forced into combat. The lack of proper training is alarming, as evidenced by the account of Stephen Oduor, who managed to escape the military. He disclosed to Carlos Mureithi, The Guardian’s East Africa correspondent, that, “I didn’t know how to shoot anything,” yet was ordered to take down Ukrainian drones without any prior ex -

perience or support from the Russian military.

WAS ORDERED TO TAKE DOWN UKRAINIAN DRONES WITHOUT ANY PRIOR EXPERIENCE OR SUPPORT FROM THE RUSSIAN MILITARY

The harsh reality is emphasised by a statement from Ukraine’s foreign minister, who revealed last month that over 1,700 Africans are currently fighting on Russia’s side. Although Ukraine has faced its own share of backlash or attempting to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans as well.

The recruitment of African soldiers for the Russian military is growing at an alarming rate. Recent reports from the Kenyan intelligence ser-

vices stated that approximately 1,000 Kenyans have been enlisted in this war,. As these men find themselves involved in a brutal war, the psychological toll can be immense. Stephen Oduor, reflects further on his traumatic experiences, shares, “The experience seriously hurt me.”

THE RECRUITMENT OF AFRICAN SOLDIERS FOR THE RUSSIAN MILITARY IS GROWING AT AN ALARMING RATE

Sadly, many of the families of these African soldiers are left in the dark regarding their loved ones’ fates. Susan Kuloba, for example, whose son David was also misled into joining the military, does not know if her son is alive or dead, with her only source of information being a report that emerged from a WhatsApp group for Kenyan fighters, stating that her son had been killed. The cruel treatment of African soldiers in Russia underscores a deeper truth: the global community has largely turned a blind eye to crises in Africa such as the genocide in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY HAS LARGELY TURNED A BLIND EYE TO CRISES IN AFRICA

The evolution of diplomatic immunity

Ivan Yachmenev dicusses the

history of diplomatic immunity

DIPLOMATIC immunity is the right enjoyed by diplomats and their families while abroad. This set of rights is not simply another perk of being a diplomat rather, it plays another role entirely: ensuring the safety of foreign diplomatic missions. This status quo allows countries to develop trade relationships, maintain workforce stability, and ensure mediation if relationships suddenly deteriorate. Despite these benefits, host countries have to deal with odd side effects, such as being able to fine, tow, but never search embassy cars. No parking ticket enforceability is also something that hosting states have to deal with. Yet states did not always hoard millions of unpaid parking tickets, diplomatic immunity has developed from one innately human need: warfare. It is this phenomenon that has allowed diplomatic immunity to be so important to international relations, especially when examined through the lens of time. I present to you: the evolution of diplomatic immunity.

The early concept of diplomats did not include permanent missions, nor did it include government departments in charge of those missions. As such, it was common for envoys to be killed even before Roman law spread, with envoys in the Fertile Crescent ending up kidnapped and killed. In Ancient Rome, envoys were killed if they opposed lobbying of powerful parties. The fact that the envoy’s mission objective had to be disclosed did not help at all. Despite this, the tribute carried across the many Roman provinces was untouchable. echoing the modern-day concept of diplomatic mail being untouchable.

IT WAS COMMON FOR ENVOYS TO BE KILLED EVEN BEFORE ROMAN LAW SPREAD

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provided them with reports on areas of their posting, and private companies were given the green light for the first time in history, allowing their employees to procure information while being protected by Constantinople. However, the successors of Rome had serious security issues and decided to use envoys as hostage leverage in negotiations, making diplomatic missions last for more than several years, and taking away from the diplomats’ safety. The vastness of the Byzantines made them a step closer to the permanent missions and relations observed today.

The Byzantines continued accepting non-sovereign envoys, something which is similar to contractors paid by an embassy in the modern day.

By the time of the Crusades, many states, even the wealthy ones, were in debt following the constant losses in the Holy Land. The Knights Templar acted as an independent courier or diplomacy service for hire. This shows how desperate states can get when they can’t protect their citizens. The Templars were immune to search, however, due to their status as knights of religious orders, not as envoys of a particular nation.

THE BYZANTINES PROTECTED THEIR DIPLOMATS WITH MORE ENTHUSIASM

A breakthrough was achieved by the Mongols later: envoys were to be respected, or host nations risked being erased from existence (the Mongol light cavalry was a threat for many nations starting in the late 12th century). While not a ratification in the modern sense, host nations agreed to accept and even guard the Mongol emissaries. Additionally, during the Mongol reign, certain bodies were exempt from taxes, proving important in Mongol governance of certain provinces. If I am to speculate, this may have been the motivation behind the modern tax exemption provision in the 1961 VCDR (Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations).

Finally, a document, authorising diplomats to conduct diplomatic business on behalf of the Khan was issued: The jarligs. These laid the foundation of the diplomatic mandate, i.e. the sending state providing protection in return for agents promoting its interests.

THIS SHOWS HOW DESPERATE STATES CAN GET WHEN THEY CAN’T PROTECT THEIR CITIZENS

During the late medieval period (late 15th to early 16th centuries) the groundwork for modern multilateral relations was laid. This started from the physical refuge of a diplomat in a chancery (the office of the embassy acquired by the sending state). It continued to include the persona non grata remedy, the only way a host state can remove a diplomat during peacetime. (Yet Italian city-states still endangered diplomats by refusing to evacuate them during wartime). Lastly and most crucially, the residence of the diplomats also became inviolable, which is still the case in our modern world. A fun fact to add is that often the chancery was given to trade delegations, as was the case in Muscovy with the first UK embassy. It was said that the flag followed the trade.

The Post-Westphalia world order saw trea -

DURING THE LATE MEDIEVAL PERIOD ... THE GROUNDWOEK FOR MODERN MULTILATERAL RELATIONS WAS LAID

ties binding on many nations, even without their consent. The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) dictated how most nations should interact with each other during peace time, and how geographical size does not impact diplomatic protections. The Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Versailles

are other examples. In general, the 19th to early 20th centuries saw the engagement of diplomats in war, often without their consent. This created issues, such as the post WWI demands of the prosecution of German ambassadors for war crimes, challenging the traditional concept of immunity to host country jurisdiction (demands were made by France). It is important to mention that this event allowed for the law to develop further, that is, international criminal jurisdiction. I would like to think that this event allowed international courts to prosecute diplomats after sending nations waived immunity And now we reach the modern understanding of diplomatic immunity. This understanding rests on three main documents. The VCDR, VCCR, and the Havana Convention of 1928. All three of these helped establish the movement of diplomats, their relation to open conflict, their relation to multinational business, neutrality in times of conflict, and their relation to civil lawsuits.

I think it is safe to say that, despite the often questioned benefits, the protection and authority that immunity provides are crucial to modern diplomacy.

In the end, regardless of your stance on immunity, human history has shown that it is an effective way to ensure development and cross-cultural interaction.

DESPITE THE OFTEN QUESTIONED BENEFITS, THE PROTECTION AND AUTOHORITY THAT IMMUNITY PROCIDES ARE CRUCIAL TO MODERN DIPLOMACY

Climate

TCLIMATE EDITOR: Poppy Fellows

Species spotlight: building resilient beaver populations

Poppy Fellows, Climate Editor,

HE Cornwall Wildlife Trust has released two beavers into the wild, marking a important step for wild beaver recovery across the UK, and within Cornwall. Parsnip and Turnip, the beaver pair, were released on the 13th February into the Par and Fowey River catchment, following several months of living at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.

PARSNIP AND TURNIP, THE BEAVER PAIR

Parsnip is a one-year-old female who was at

shines a spotlight on the release of two beavers into the Cornish wild

risk of inbreeding whilst living at the Cropton Forest enclosure, and has been paired with Turnip, a male beaver who was washed downstream during a storm and taken care of by a sanctuary in Alloa, Scotland. They formed a stable bond at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, where they learnt to live in the wild, by practising dam building, foraging, and burrowing in their four-acre enclosure.

After months of preparation, they are putting down new roots in the Par and Fowey River catchment, where the Cornwall Wildlife Trust will monitor their behaviours and progress. Since 2022, beavers in the UK have been protected legally by the government, and since 2018, pairs of beavers have been part of rehabilitation and reintroduction projects

across the country. The beaver is currently classified as endangered on the GB Red List. Beavers became extinct across England and Wales in the year 1300, and in Scotland in 1600. Since 2009 they have been part of pilot studies to reintroduce the species into the wildlife. Reintroducing beavers brings a wide range of ecological benefits and provides important services to the ecosystem, including water storage, filtering pollutants in water, and through creating pools and wetlands. Through this process of reintroduction, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust have stated they are helping to create “resilient river systems”, and improving diversity within the beaver populations, which is “crucial for their survival”.

Green Party wins at by-election

Molly Panagi-Williams talks about the landmark win for the environmentalist political party in Gorton

ON the 27th of February 2026, Hannah Spencer (left) made history by winning a by-election in the historically Labour Westminster seat since 1931, becoming the fifth MP for the Green Party. This is an important and notable win for the Greens for many reasons — for one, Hannah is a representative of the ‘ordinary woman’ as a tradeswoman who has put that part of her life on pause after the election win. She joked in her post-election speech that her customers’ work will have to be cancelled because “I’m going to parliament”. This win for the Green Party has been commented that it may be a significant change in the tides, pushing the ends of the spectrum of the political sphere to Green as the greater representative of the left, as Labour continues to haemorrhage votes at every new election.

Spencer becomes the party’s youngest MP, and ran on the policies of balancing wealth inequality, animal rights (in the form of opposing local grey-

Ghound racing) and support for the Muslim community regarding Labour’s approach to the situation in Gaza. It’s an interesting demonstration that the Greens are coming to be representatives of more traditional political causes and have moved away from their origins focused on green energy, redirecting to the ‘more pressing’ concerns of modern Britain. However, her policies are not necessarily a bad thing because of their lack of a ‘green’ focus. If the Green Party intends to be a party with a real chance of power in a few years, they can’t run solely on environmental policies. A voter doesn’t care about solar panels if they can’t afford to have them installed (or they’re stuck renting and therefore have no control over whether they have solar panels).

Hannah’s focus on working class issues and how to benefit her community gives hope for the Green’s chance at adding more MPs to their ranks in the Commons. It cannot be understated the importance of such a sure Labour seat going

and Denton

to the Greens and indicates not only that Labour is losing the faith of previously staunch supporters, but the Greens are now well placed to step in. It will now be a question if the Greens can sustain their environmental policies alongside the shift towards accommodating a wider voter demographic. They are becoming the party of the Left, but that’s no good if they just become focused on the same policies as Labour, when their winning point was their difference that came from caring about the planet as well as the people.

FOCUS ON WORKING CLASS ISSUES AND HOW TO BENEFIT HER COMMUNITY GIVES HOPE

Renewable energy that is always on Janani Kandaramage makes the case for a shift to geothermal energy

EOTHERMAL energy is a low-carbon power source generated by harnessing the Earth’s natural heat. This heat is typically stored in the rocks, soil, and groundwater of the Earth’s crust, ranging from about four feet below ground level to several kilometres down. Unlike solar and wind power, which are undermined by extreme weather, its reliance on internal heat provides a consistent and dependable supply of renewable energy.

Currently, geothermal resources are harnessed in Iceland, New Zealand, and Indonesia for electricity generation, district heating, and industrial production. The location of these nations near active tectonic plates means that magma is surfaceadjacent, creating conditions conducive to efficiently heating underground water and rocks.

Although the UK is distant from volcanic activity, the Eden Project in Cornwall demonstrates

that man-made systems can be developed in the absence of naturally occurring underground reservoirs, to enable geothermal production.

The spatial reach of British geothermal energy can be expanded by seeking inspiration from companies such as Fervo Energy’s Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Quaise’s millimeter-wave drilling approach.

Fervo’s EGS deploys horizontal drilling to engineer permeability in hot, dry rock. By injecting high-pressure fluids to create cracks, the contact area between circulating water and the rock is increased — thereby forming artificial reservoirs in regions lacking magma and aquifers. In 2023, Fervo Energy established its first geothermal plant in Nevada, aiming to produce 3.5 MW of baseload power.

Since then, the company has pursued partnerships with around five American renewable firms, including a 20 MW project with California

Community Power. Its use of horizontal wells provides access to large volumes of rock, not only facilitating the scaling of geothermal energy, but also reducing costs through repeatable processes. This cost-effectiveness cements geothermal energy’s role as a pioneering resource to meet the growing demand for electricity to support artificial intelligence in an eco-friendly manner.

Another approach that is constantly evolving is Quaise’s high-powered microwave drilling technique, designed to generate ultra-deep geothermal energy. This technology uses vacuum tubes to melt and vaporise dense rock, enabling drilling operations to reach depths of ten to twelve miles at temperatures up to 500 degrees Cel sius. T he furthest distance reached by this method was a 118-meter hole at a granite quarry in Texas. Embedding this practice into the clean energy effort will enhance energy density and power output per well,

sufficient to serve numerous nearby regions.

However, while the British Geological Survey acknowledged it as “a major step forward,” it also noted that high upfront costs for drilling infrastructure could hinder the project’s replication across the UK.

Nevertheless, Geothermal Engineering Ltd’s Eden initiative in Cornwall, which involves establishing a geothermal power plant to generate electricity for 10,000 homes, suggests that progress is already underway and aligns with the UK’s clean power target by 2030.

A shift toward geothermal resources in the US will not only reduce overdependence on fossil fuels for electricity and heating but also aid the transition to a green economy. Minerals found during geothermal exploration are essential for manufacturing electric batteries and, by extension, electric vehicles, thereby decreasing carbon emissions.

COMMENT EDITORS

Tom Richardson

Lucas Eley

‘Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere’ — the monetisation of misogyny

Francesca Clarke discusses the new Louis Theroux documentary on extreme masculinity

LAST week Louis Theroux made his Netflix debut with a supposed dissection of the ‘manosphere’. I would have tuned in regardless, given my admiration for Theroux’s quips and curated questioning, but the topic covered here felt extremely personal to me. As a teenage girl with access to social media, it is inevitable that I would recognise the interviewees and their terminology. However, attending a co-ed Sixth Form from 20222024 meant that my male classmates were the target age for initial manosphere content.

In turn, I anticipated Theroux would be investigating not only the content creators in depth but the content consumers too. After all, we now live in an age where the manosphere is not a niche concept but a frequent topic in everyday life. It is seen not only in gyms and podcast studios, but in schools across the globe such as mine. It was there when boys, with their hands clasped in Andrew Tate’s signature fashion asked me whether I was actually a feminist, creating a pit in my stomach as I was forced to defend my whole sex on a Tuesday Morning.

MANOSPHERE

IS NOT A NICHE CONCEPT BUT A FREQUENT TOPIC IN EVERDAY LIFE

It could be said that Theroux was the perfect documentarian for the topic at hand. In many ways, he was. His collected tone and logical manner of questioning perfectly juxtaposed many of the influencers’ aggressive and sharp demeanours, forcing them to confront their opposite. Indeed, Theroux symbolises the

types of men that the manosphere despises. When Harrison Sullivan aka ‘HS Tikky Tokky’ exclaimed that he coaches “boys on how to be f****** boys...proper guys…not little soy boys …. little gimps that walk around in the modern day”, his eyes stayed locked on Louis. Having scenes like this on our screens is essential for highlighting just how preposterous their world is, and I do believe that Theroux got to the crux of the issue: believers of the manosphere have created their own cage of oppression. Declaring that men are born without value and must develop it through materialism, whilst women are born with beauty as their value, creates an undeniable ‘us versus them’ mentality. This then evolves into entitlement, that “most women aren’t as feminist as they think they are” and truly “don’t know what they want”, but men do. Tying these concepts to human nature brings them validity, arguing that men are put on this earth to provide these answers to women and act as an auxiliary brain. This all comes to the detriment of feminism, which been characterised not by its aims for equality, but as a movement built to confuse women and villainise men. Nonetheless, the documentary highlights the falsities and irony of these claims. HS Tikky Tokky, presents as the poster child for late-stage capitalism. He actively addresses his own contradictions, such as running an Only Fans content house even though sex work “disgusts” him and he would disown his daughter for doing the same. I was amazed by his unashamed admittance that “we live in an attention economy”, and his content is for his own financial gain and hunger for views. This is best seen towards the end of the documentary, where he accuses Theroux

of being a “puppet” for mainstream media whilst performing the commands of his viewers, dishing out mentions of Israel and Jimmy Saville purely to seek a reaction.

Here lies one of the main shortcomings of the documentary compared to Theroux’s other works: the fourth wall is not only broken but transcended. In previous works, public opinion would only come to play after Theroux had finished and published the documentary, and he would spend large chunks of time with only the subjects, himself and a cameraman. However, HS in particular has a minion filming the process the entire time he is on screen. Myron Gaines, a popular ‘red pilling’ podcaster, texts one of his employees midconversation to forbid her from speaking to Theroux. This is something largely out of Theroux’s control and he must find a careful balance between highlighting this and acting as a neutral observant, something near impossible to do when confronted with people who make a living off of ‘rage baiting’ and getting reactions.

If I was to highlight my main problem with this piece, it would be its overreliance on investigating who is directly in front of them and not the millions of unseen victims of this behaviour. The crew makes a rather lazy attempt in this, questioning two adult males who idolise Justin Waller in a tea shop. Whilst it is insightful to learn how they have been brainwashed to believe that mental illness is a lie, even with one losing a brother to suicide, this only scratches the surface of who is stumbling on this content. Who we really must be investigating is the young boys who stumble across the ‘funny’ clips of these influencers arguing with the public and making bold claims. We must ensure that teenagers

understand that this content is a gateway to buying into their multi-level marketing schemes, and that these content creators have little care for the ‘community’ they cultivate.

OVERRELIANCE ON INVESTIGATING WHO IS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM AND NOT THE MILLIONS OF UNSEEN VICTIMS

Additionally, we should look closer into the women beside these men. One of the most satisfying moments of the doc comes at the end, where it is revealed that Myron’s girlfriend Angie (who he described to have a ‘one-way monogamous relationship’ with) has broken up with him. This would have been a perfect opportunity to ask her what led her to ending their relationship. I feel that this would have been brilliant at breaking down the portrayal of these wives and girlfriends as the “ideal” woman, that the average girl is not truly happy playing the compliant “dishwasher”.

THIS CONTENT IS GATEWAY TO BUYING INTO THEIR MULTILEVEL MARKETING SCHEMES

Nonetheless, media like this must never stop being made if we want to keep making society better. If we continue to sweep these ideas under the rug, we are all complacent in inequality.

The lessons of Iraq cannot be ignored

Emiel Dunhill argues against the repetition of history in the Middle East

BRITAIN and the US bear a direct and largely unacknowledged responsibility for the regime they now call their largest threat. In 1953, working alongside the CIA, British intelligence orchestrated to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. His crime being the nationalisation of Iranian oil. What followed was decades of Westernbacked authoritarian rule under the Shah, which ultimately led to the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The 1953 coup is generally regarded as having sown the seeds of the revolution, initiating a prolonged period of dictatorship leaving Iranians with a deep and lasting resentment of both Washington and London.

LEAVING IRANIANS WITH A DEEP AND LASTING RESENTMENT OF BOTH

Britain did not merely observe the creation of the current Iranian regime. It helped build it. That historical context matters now, because Britain is once again asked to follow the United States into military conflict with a country whose instability it helped create. The answer should be no, and the reason is Iraq.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq allowed for a rise of Iranian power across the region in ways that Western strategists either failed to

predict or chose to ignore. The removal of Saddam Hussein created a power vacuum that Iran exploited, cultivating relationships with Shia political and armed groups who now wield influence across the region. It created an opportunity to strengthen Iran, extending its reach through Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the occupied Palestinian territories. The West invaded Iraq to reshape the Middle East, but it was reshaped in Iran’s favour. The human cost of the Iraq war was staggering, and the strategic outcome was

BBritain’s role in this conflict should be extremely limited, defensive, and clearly defined. Iran’s network of proxies, financed, trained, and directed from Tehran represent a genuine and sustained threat to regional stability and British interests. That threat demands a robust response: sanctions, domestic counter-intelligence, and coordinated diplomatic pressure from the West. It does not demand British bombs, or British boots on the ground. Prime Minister Starmer was correct to keep Britain out of the initial strikes. The Chilcot Inquiry did not spend years forensically dismantling the failures of Iraq so that the next generation of ministers could repeat them.

a failure. And yet, with a new conflict now underway, Britain is once again pressured to join another American military adventure in the same region, against a threat that America’s own previous military adventure helped to create. This circularity should give us all a reason to pause and think.

THE

2003 INVASION OF IRAQ ALLOWED FOR A RISE OF IRANIAN POWER

HUMAN COST OF THE IRAQ WAR WAS STAGGERING

Britain is not obligated to be pulled into every conflict that Washington and Tel Aviv choose to initiate. It is obligated to learn from its own mistakes, and its history. And in the Middle East, that history is damning enough already.

BRITAIN’S ROLE IN THIS CONFLICT SHOULD BE EXTREMELY LIMITED AND DEFENSIVE

BrewDog: punking labour regulations

Beth Casey, Screen Editor, discusses the fall of BrewDog and its controversies

REWDOG have historically faced extensive media attention in light of reports of toxic workplace culture from former workers. Sexism, misogyny and a ‘culture of fear’ were among the labels used to form a broad picture of the issues in the company. However, the scrutiny and controversies surrounding the CEO James Watts make a strong case that poisoning the fountain at the head is the surest way to spread the rot.

SEXISM, MISOGYNY AND A ‘CULTURE OF FEAR’ WERE AMONG THE LABELS USED

BrewDog is an independent brewer that gained its early popularity around 2008-2010 from its use of disruptive marketing and laddish humour, with the company associated with the Sex Pistols levels of anarchy and counterculture. However, over the years, BrewDog has fallen into a plethora of missteps and blunders that have gradually pulled it down from its temporary, intense grace. To give a few examples, in 2009 they were reproved for naming a beer ‘Speedball’ after

the incredibly dangerous process of mixing a stimulant and depressant drug, typically cocaine and heroin. They also categorised it as a ‘Class A ale’ which furthered the criticism. In 2013, they were given a caution on using foul and extreme language on their website. In 2015, they released an advertising video that was offensive to an extensive group of transgender people, the homeless and sex workers. This would be the first of many advertising controversies. Future instances involved areas like nutritional value or environmental misinformation.

In 2021, they experienced the height of the workplace controversy, with many exworkers claiming to have experienced mental health issues after working at BrewDog. In 2022, the company admitted to taking significant shortcuts to get around import laws, and this was also the year that James Watts was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour.’

In a BBC documentary about BrewDog, female bartenders were allegedly advised on

how to avoid unwanted attention from the CEO, with many claiming they felt ‘powerless’ and ‘uncomfortable’ while working.

In 2024 the company announced they would be hiring workers at the new minimum wage as opposed to the promised higher rate, which brought on outrage in the face of the cost-of-living crisis. As it stands, the company is under major restructuring after being sold to the US cannabis giant Tilray Brands. While the company has agreed to buy some of Brew -

Dog’s bars and assets within the takeover, hundreds of BrewDog staff have now lost their jobs. The point of interest in the future will be whether Tilray can enable BrewDog to outpace its controversial and notorious history or whether more blunders are to come.

THE COMPANY IS UNDER MAJOR RESTRUCTURING

Satire

iPad babies address Mother’s Day Cards to Cocomelon

results were immediate. For the young, vulnerable mind, the iPad acted akin to a dealer of crack cocaine. Realizing this, mothers all around the world rejoiced for this newfound chance at relief from their annoying brats.

FOLLOWING this year’s Mother’s Day, recently published findings from the Post Office have revealed startling new developments in the yearly celebration. (Not that startling however, as the majority simply believe a text message and the concept of love will suffice.) Instead, the findings suggest that the demographic known as “iPad Babies” have been sending their Mother’s Day cards to the prestigious YouTube channel Cocomelon

For those out of the know, the iPad baby phenomenon began around the conception of the iPad. It is unknown when exactly an iPad was first introduced to a child, but the

FOR THE YOUNG, VULNERABLE MIND THE iPAD ACTED AS A SORT OF CRACK COCAINE

Of all the forms of baby crack that the iPad distributes, Cocomelon was the most potent, and quickly gained a monopoly over the minds and souls of the iPad babies. With the Mother’s Day card findings, scientists believe its power has reached its peak. We tried contacting the iPad babies’ biological mothers for comment, but their response was confusing. The mothers seemed to have forgotten that their children existed at all. They did, however, seem supremely relaxed. Perhaps iPads truly are the solution.

PERHAPS IPADS TRULY ARE THE SOLUTION

SATIRE EDITOR:

Christopher Lyndsay

Devon County Council to switch off the sun

Antoni Kałduński International Editor

DEVON County Council has done it again. Fresh from their award-winning decision to turn off every other streetlight in the county, a policy which has left Devon residents developing an impressive talent for navigating country lanes by moonlight and sheer optimism, the council has announced its boldest cost-cutting measure yet: switching off the sun.

The proposal was unveiled at a council meeting in Exeter last Tuesday, attended by eleven people and a confused pigeon. Officials claim the plan could save approximately £4.7 billion annually, though they admitted the figure is “very much an estimate” and was based on a spreadsheet put together by an intern.

The environmental benefits, according to the council, are significant. Global warming would immediately become far less of an issue once the primary source of heat is removed. Carbon emissions would suddenly feel less urgent. Climate activists, who have long called for dramatic action, have been left wondering if this might be slightly too dramatic.

“We did consider just dimming it,” admitted Councillor Gerald Forthwright. “But dimming is more of a Somerset approach. Devon commits.”

The financial logic is also persuasive. Eliminat-

ing the sun would remove the need for sunscreen entirely, collapse the market for pocket fans and portable air conditioning units, and finally put an end to the national suffering of awkward barbecues involving undercooked chicken and warm prosecco.

Residents of Torquay, long promoted as the English Riviera, have reacted calmly. “We barely saw it anyway,” said local guesthouse owner Patricia Mumble, gesturing at a sky that was a determined shade of grey. “I have been telling tourists we offer atmospheric coastal mist for years.”

Some critics have pointed out that crops may stop growing. The council has confirmed that a working group will look into this issue, with a report expected sometime in 2027.

National Express takes shortcut through Andromeda

WE, Exeposé , are just coming back from London on one of our lavish balls. We can’t tell you about it due to issues of legality but it was grand. Problematically though, our fleet of private jets need refuelling, and therefore we have to take the National Express with the muggles. I can speak for all of us that we feel quite ill at the prospect. Nevertheless, we will document the journey as hanging out with the general public (that hurts to type) is surely ripe for material.

Writers Log Chapter One: We hate this place. The lavatory is dimly lit, and the speed of the bus is throwing off the sharpshooters of Exeposé . All that clay pigeon shooting, real pigeon shooting, big game shooting, exotic game shooting and that thing we did on that island was for naught. On the plus side, the oligarch and sultan from the party are here. We couldn’t spot them

through the flurry of fists. We must acknowledge though, what is taking so long? All we see is the

humming light of stars and dark. How odd?

Writers Log Chapter Two: This may come as a shock, but we’ve been put on an intergalactic shortcut and are in space. Apparently, this is a relatively short trip compared to most bus journeys, but it’s been days. We’ve also been boarded by aliens who are now fighting the remainder of the people from… The North. Our lovely oligarch friend tried to buy the aliens. He’s been vapourised. Exeposé hates to say it, but we hope The North has got this.

Writers Log Chapter Three: Exeposé has been cannibalised. The aliens ate us. That poor sultan. It is just me left loyal reader. Why does

DIMMING IS MORE OF A SOMERSET APPROACH. DEVON COMMITS. EXEPOSÉ HAVE BEEN

APPARENTLY, THIS IS A RELATIVELY SHORT TRIP COMPARED TO MOST BUS JOURNEYS

every article end in tragedy? To be an optimist though, we are back in England. We’ve sort of done an Interstellar and everything is old but I’m still a young stallion. Even better is that my father’s fortune has increased tenfold! However, maybe all his fracking was a bad idea? The Earth is really hot, damp and quite damp. Never mind all that, we can just fix it with more money.

The bus driver has already loaded new people onto the bus. The aliens have gotten off the bus too. They seem relaxed after consuming all the writers. Credit to the bus driver, this is all jolly good. We salute you, humble intergalactic bus man.

lifestyle

Are Reels the end of real relationships?

Yasmine Al-Saket. Lifestyle Editor, delves into the epidemic of meme-sharing culture in relationships.

RECENTLY , I’ve begun to notice that the dating and friendship scene has changed quite a bit. With the rise of social media, more conversations take place on Instagram than in real life. I’ve found myself sending and receiving Instagram Reels and memes over DMs instead of having a real conversation about my day. Instead, communication now comes in short-form video content and brain-rotting content of 67memes and politicians. I’ve found that this meme culture has been acting as a replacement for authentic dialogue.

I’ve sadly been losing my friends to the dire abyss of something I call the “Instagram Reels Desert”. Rather than actually having a conversation about our personal lives and hanging out, we’ve been exchanging communication through the horrid process of internet memes and brain-rotting content. I understand that sometimes the thought that goes into being reminded of an inside joke or something that reminds you of them. But it’s this sort of proxy discussion that

feels empty. Which is something I've been guilty of too. Sometimes it's just easier to share a meme than to have an actual exchange where you have to face the music of your circumstances, where your loved ones hold the mirror to you and ask you, “How are you doing, really?” So instead, you send an Instagram Reel, a funny meme or a TikTok, as a proxy. But I've grown to dislike how friendships and relationships have now evolved into a sort of photo-exchanging contest rather than having a real conversation. I understand that the cost of living affects friendships and relationships, with every hangout including a £6 service charge for a pint, reflecting the 'friendflation'. Paired with the decline of people's attention creates the perfect conditions for a Reels relationship. But it’s the vulnerable chats and the nights that we’d never forget that make it truly special. There’s nothing I love more than receiving my friend’s calls where they have a rundown of their day, even if it’s just a very ordinary, boring day of attending lectures and doing a food shop. It’s

The

Iexactly those mundane moments where real relationships form, not through Instagram reels. I’ve recently had a relationship that turned from a Reels one to a real one. We began with the usual, exchanging updates on world affairs. But something later switched to our own affairs, our feelings and our vulnerabilities. It’s the sort of thing where you might potentially regret sending that text, or it could grow into something more. I’ve found that much of life comes from the unexpected, the random text you send or the first interaction you had with someone at a seminar because there’s no one else. This is what makes love, friendships and relationships blossom. Relationships and friendships grow on the bedrock through the risky texts and awkward silences, and exchanges. So make that potentially regretful risk, send that text or Reel if you must. That’s exactly how one will find themselves in a real relationship rather than just a Reels one!

rise of Botox

Poppy Fellows, Climate Editor, explores whether Botox is feminist and empowering, or another form of oppression

N 2022, over nine million Botox treatments were issued globally, a 26.1 per cent increase from the previous year. 85 per cent of these treatments were administered for women, a strong indicator that this issue is a feminist one. These treatments are increasingly common and entrenched within beauty standards globally. Botox plays into a desire to be youthful, working to freeze aspects of the face or fill out existing wrinkles, with even teenage girls lining up to receive injections and cosmetic surgery, a terrifying impact of outlandish beauty standards and a lust to look the same as everybody else. Botox is now doing more than just freezing a face in time; it is being used as a tool to limit emotional capacity. A study from Duke and USC done in 2022 showed that people with Botox had a harder time reading other peo -

Eple’s emotions. By ridding your face of wrinkles through paralysing facial muscles, you rid your face of the ability to show fear or worry (from the lines in your forehead or eyebrows), or disgust or laughter (removing crow’s feet wrinkles from around the eyes). Neal, a USC professor, stresses the importance of mimicry through the body and how the use of cosmetic surgery disables this function from the body, making it harder to understand one another.

BUT WE QUESTION WHETHER BOTOX IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF CONFROMING OR OPPRESSING OURSELVES — TO UPHOLDING A BEAUTY

@whatzaraloves is a content creator who discusses issues on her podcast Taboo on the Bus She highlights how Botox is positioned as a form of empowerment, with women having the choice to change their bodies and to feel more self-confident, rather than punishing themselves for not adhering to the beauty standards set for them by patriarchal structures. But we question whether Botox is just another way of conforming — or oppressing ourselves — to another wave of upholding a beauty standard. Botox maintains systems that suggest it is not okay to age, when that is something bodies are universally expected to experience. Not only is it part of the standard to resist ageing, but the process of receiving cosmetic treatment is taboo, a luxury only afforded to vain and conceited women.

STANDARD

Furthermore, Dana Berkowitz’s book Bo -

tox Nation (which you can read on JSTOR!) explores how Botox has become a tool of lobotomising women, removing their capability to show anger and upset in a time period where women are expected to smile and be a perfect version of themselves always.

HIGHLIGHTS HOW BOTOX IS POSITIONED AS A FORM OF EMPOWERMENT, WITH WOMEN HAVING THE CHOICE TO CHANGE THEIR BODIES

Exeter Summer Term Bucket List

Lauren Walsh, Deputy Editor, shares the ultimate Exeter summer checklist for an incredible third semester

VERYONE knows that summer term is the best term there is. The sun is shining, and deadlines are mostly done, or at least they will be soon. Whether it’s your first year and your first chance to experience a summer in Devon, or your final year and you want to cross everything off before you leave forever (!) this is a comprehensive(ish) list of everything you need to do to make the most of your summer term:

1.Beach trips

Starting with a classic, a beach trip in summer is a must. Whether you prefer Exmouth or Dawlish Warren, or even somewhere further afield, it’s hard to beat a beach day complete with swimming in the (still very cold) sea, and fish and chips! You could even watch the sunset before catching the train back.

2.Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park is beautiful and a great place for hikes! You can get there by catching the train to Okehamp -

ton, but if you are lucky enough to have a friend with a car the possibilities are endless.

3. National Trust trip

You have a few options for this, including Killerton, Castle Drogo, A la Ronde, and more. Most of these are accessible with a short bus journey. Having a cream tea while there is optional, but highly recommended. (If you don’t have a National Trust membership or just don’t want to pay entry you could get the train to Topsham instead and walk around the nature reserve there, and even visit Dart’s Farm for similar chill outdoors-y vibes.)

4.Riverside walk

When the sun is shining it is also nice to walk around Exeter Quay or River Exe and grab an ice-cream on the way. If you fancy a

longer walk, you could walk along the river all the way to Double Locks Pub for a pint, which takes about 40 minutes from the quay..

5.Impy beer garden

Let’s face it, any pub garden in the sun will do, but The Imperial’s beer garden is hard to beat, and has the bonus of being a Wetherspoons so having somewhat decent prices.

A COMPREHENSIVE (ISH) LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMER TERM

How to get things done without burning out

Antoni Kałduński, International Editor, shares his advice on how

to stay productive in the trenches of deadline

season

DEADLINE season has a strange ability to turn even the most organised student into someone staring blankly at a laptop at two a.m. With deadlines piling up, lectures continuing, and some form of social life still expected, staying productive without burning out can feel like a balancing act. Over time, I have realised that the key is having a structure that keeps you focused while still leaving space to breathe.

One of the most important things that helps me stay productive is starting the day with the most complex tasks. My focus and energy are always higher in the morning, so that is when I try to tackle the most demanding parts of an assignment, usually writing a section of an essay or working through difficult readings. Getting the hardest part done early makes the rest of the day feel much more manageable. As the day goes on and my energy drops, I shift to smaller tasks such as editing paragraphs, checking references, or organising

notes. In a way, it is about optimising your energy rather than trying to force productivity all day.

GETTING THE HARDEST PART DONE EARLY MAKES THE REST OF THE DAY FEEL MUCH

MORE MANAGEABLE

I also rely heavily on simple to-do lists. Instead of writing a huge list that becomes overwhelming, I try to focus on three main things that must be completed that day. Once those are done, everything else feels like extra progress. Crossing off tasks might seem small, but it gives a clear sense of momentum and keeps me motivated to continue.

Another thing that has made a big difference is changing where I study. Staying in the same place every day can make you lose focus quickly. Personally, I have grown a bit fed up with both the Loft and the Career Zone, so

moving around different study spaces helps keep things fresh. Even a small change in environment can reset your mindset and make it easier to concentrate for a few solid hours.

One habit that I have kept, despite everything becoming digital, is writing notes by hand. When I write things out physically, it feels much clearer and helps me understand details in greater depth. Handwritten notes are especially useful when planning essays. Mapping out arguments, key points, and references on paper often makes the writing process much smoother once I start typing.

Of course, productivity is not just about studying constantly. Taking short breaks or going for a walk helps reset your focus and prevents burnout. Always remember that consistency has and always will be king.

ALWAYS REMEBER THAT CONSISTENCY HAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE KING

Exeposé Eats Home-Cooked Meals

Emily Saunders spills fuss free recipes for deadline season

FIGURING out what to have for dinner after a long day at the library can feel like more of a task than the 3000-word essay you’ve been staring at for hours. Deciding on pesto pasta, only to find mould in the jar when you get home, is enough to make anyone crash out. But fuelling yourself for deadline season doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple habits and recipes up your sleeve, you can eat well and keep costs low without taking too much time away from your laptop. Easy eats for busy days: When your brain has logged out, simple, reliable meals can help you get the word count moving again. These filling, customisable recipes come in at under £1.50 per serving, using supermarket own-brand ingredients and are ready in no time.

OVERNIGHT OATS

Ten minutes, Serves one, (60p per serving)

You will need:

- 50g jumbo oats (3tbsp)

- 100ml milk

- 150g-200g yoghurt

- One tsp honey

- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Method: Mix everything in a jar and leave in the fridge overnight. In the morning, top with banana, berries, chocolate chips or peanut butter. Prepping in a lidded container means you can grab and go on the way to campus!

C HICKEN AND BEAN FAJITA TRAYBAKE

30 minutes, Serves four (£1.36 per portion)

You will need:

- One red onion, sliced

- Two bell peppers, sliced

- Packet of fajita seasoning

- Three chicken breast fillets, cut into strips

- Two x 400g cans of beans or chickpeas, drained

- Two x tbsp. tomato puree (or ketchup!)

- Two tbsp oil

(For best results, remove the slotted tray from your air fryer basket! Can also be cooked in the oven at 180 °C for 30 mins.)

Method: Add all ingredients to the air fryer and toss well. Cook at 200 °C for 20-25 mins (shaking halfway through) or until chicken is cooked through. Serve with guacamole and cheese in tortillas for a house fajita night, or with salad and rice. Leftovers work well stuffed into a pitta for lunch!

S MART FOOD SHORTCUTS:

Taking turns cooking with your housemates saves time, and batch cooking on the weekend means you’ve always got something for dinner. Try a simple chilli which you can switch up serving with rice, jacket potato or tortilla chips. Invest in some plastic containers to freeze extra portions, and prep lunch for campus. Keep bread in the freezer to make eggs, beans, cheese or avocado on toast for a quick, filling meal. Also, make the most of the microwave – salmon, egg-fried rice and even omelettes can all be made in minutes. Stocking up on cupboard staples like tinned fish, pulses, packet rice and soups keeps meals effortless, and opting for frozen fruit and veg saves money and waste. When you shop, try the 5-4-3-2-1- method to stay on track: 5 veg, 4 fruits, three proteins, two carbs and one sweet treat can sort you out for a week.

BAKED FETA PASTA

40 minutes, Serves two (85p per serving)

You will need:

- 100g feta cheese

- 250g cherry tomatoes

- One garlic clove

- One tbsp dried herbs

- Two tbsp oil

- 150g dried pasta

Handful of basil (optional) Add the feta, tomatoes, garlic and oil to a baking dish, then sprinkle with the herbs and some salt and pepper. You could even try adding raw salmon or chicken to the baking dish for a protein boost, or throw in any extra veg you need to use up. Bake at 180 °C for 30 minutes, until the feta is soft. Meanwhile, boil the pasta for 10 minutes on the hob. Remove the feta dish from the oven and mash everything together with a fork. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen into a sauce. Drain the pasta, stir it through the sauce and finish with basil and extra pepper, if you like.

LIANA Cincotti’s Picking Daisies on Sundays follows best friends Dani and Levi as they navigate their evolving relationship, as well as the feelings of grief, loss, and uncertainty that permeate their adult lives. Having bonded over a shared experience of loss as teenagers Dani and Levi quickly become best friends. However, after a disastrous prom night leaves their friendship uncertain, the two best friends find themselves becoming strangers, until they meet again four years later. The two embark on a fake relationship, complicated by their feelings for one another, which quickly resurface and refuse to go away, as well as external factors such as the looming shadow of adulthood following their graduation. The written incarnation of an Olivia Dean song, Liana Cincotti’s novel is perfect for a spring day, exploring ideas of love, friendship, and new beginnings, as well as what it means to

arts & lit

Spring recommendations

Arts & Lit writers cover their favourite Spring reads

be an adult. The protagonists, Dani and Levi, are also a breath of fresh air, embodying spring both individually and together. Dani, an aspiring fashion designer who is endearingly chaotic and painfully relatable, embodies the essence of a hopeless romantic and a rom-com leading lady. Making it oh so clear why she fell for Levi, the English Literature professor, who teaches a class on Jane Austen while writing French poetry in his spare time, and buys her flowers just because. Dani’s modern chaos and Levi’s classic Austen hero energy combine to make the perfect fake dating pair, with the weight of silent words between them hitting just as hard as love confessions in the rain, or an airport chase. Cincotti perfectly captures the ache of being twenty-something and trying to figure everything out.

Katrina Nahar

WHILE the title of the book Instructions for a heatwave may suggest that this novel is suited best for summer, something about this book just gets me hopeful for warmer days ahead. You may know O’Farrell from her extremely popular book, Hamnet. I can confirm that magic she put into that book is also present here, and that fact along should be enough to convince you to read it.

The novel opens when a father of an Irish family goes missing, and all the children reunite to help their mother figure out what happened. While this synopsis may make it

SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BOOK JUST GETS ME HOPEFUL FOR WARMER DAYS AHEAD

The Missing Rembrandt

Asound like a mystery novel, the book is far more focused of the relationships between all the characters. If you’ve read Hamnet, you’ll know this is where O’Farrell really excels. The ways in which she writes characters is so realistic and can also be heavy at the same time. Each character feels well-rounded and the novel spends time looking at the individual and collective lives of all of them.

The story is set in 1970s London during a summer heatwave, and while it is not quite summer in the real world yet, this book is a perfect transition from winter to summer. This book is not quite an easy beach-read but it is definitely ready to pull you out of those heavy winter novels. I personally loved this book, almost as much as I loved Hamnet, and I can’t wait to get started on some of her other novels.

Kayleigh Swart, Editor-In-Chief

Ella Clark explores the rediscovery of The Vision of Zacharias in the Temple

REMBRANDT painting, titled the Vision of Zacharias in the Temple , was recently rediscovered, after going missing in 1961, when it was last recorded as being sold to a private collector.

Rembrandt was a Dutch painter, often thought to be one of the greatest visual artists in Western history, being only 27 when he created this artwork, and with over 300 paintings currently on display across the world. It resurfaced at the beginning of March, as owners presented it for tests at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, starting a two-year examination process.

The museum gets questions about paintings that have been inherited and bought all the time, but curators found this painting particularly interesting, having

known about the existence of the artwork for a long time, but never actually seeing it. “When I saw it in our studio when it was restored, I was immediately struck by the incredible power it has,” Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits said.

The painting has all the hallmarks of Rembrandt, with an original signature, a wooden panel from the correct period and different layers to the paintings construction — a typical Rembrandt flair, with an overall

high quality which suggests Rembrandt dedicated a part of himself to the artwork.

The museum described this piece as an innovative twist on a biblical story, being one of the first paintings to simply suggest the presence of Archangel Gaberial rather than explicitly show it. The style of painting is also particularly unique as the artist mostly created portraits during this period.

World Book Day

WAN INNOVATIVE TWIST ON A BIBLICAL STORY... SUGGEST[ING] THE PRESENCFE OF ARCHANGEL GABRIAL RATHER THAN EXPLICITALLY SHOW IT

Whilst the value has not yet been determined, the painting is estimated to sell for millions, with Rembrandt’s Young Lion Resting being sold for £13 million just last month. As of the beginning of March, the painting is on display at the Rijksmuseum, and will remain there for the foreseeable future on a long term loan.

Amber Platel, Arts & Lit Editor, reminisces over World Book Day

ORLD Book Day was created in 1995 by UNESCO, and is now celebrated in over 100 countries worldwide. It exists to promote reading for pleasure, with the aim of giving children universal access to books, while also celebrating literature, publishing, and copyright.

I remember being ten years old and telling my mum that I was going to dress as Badger from The Wind in the Willows for World Book Day. Despite her (entirely valid) concern that I might regret wearing a papier-mâché badger mask, my dad’s fishing

gilet, and a fedora to school, I stand by the costume to this day.

Although it is often seen as a celebration of children’s literature, as an English and Creative Writing student I’ve continued to observe the holiday into adulthood. For my (very nerdy) 21st birthday, I had a joint party with three other English students, all themed around World

Book Day. The event was, in many ways, a carbon copy of the primary school celebrations, just with booze and some slighlty more pretentious costumes.

I went as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, my boyfriend dressed as the cockroach from The Metamorphosis, and we served literature-themed cocktails and had bunting made of second hand books. Alongside that, there was a strong showing of childhood favourites: multiple Paddington Bears, Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and a whole host of Alices and Mad Hatters. Despite the next

day’s mess and hangover, it completed the mission that the event of our childhood’s set out to do; it had us talking about, and celebrating, reading!

BRENDA Callis’ drag-theatrical play

Smalltown Boy is an exploration of grief, drag and the impacts of growing up ‘different’ in a rural area. The play follows a

ABABY? Six bewildered students? One weekend to keep said infant fed, happy, and hidden from prying eyes until the real grown ups come back — whoever they may be? That’s the concept behind this term’s Theatre with Teeth student written play, a comedy by Rosie Parsons. But what has it succeeded in?

The body of the play rests around it’s six housemates, each a shade of eccentric student stereotype: sporty, chad, hippie, the house ‘mom’, anxious, and utterly clueless. The play weighs on almost sketch style problems and its eccentric characters for it’s humour. Despite each of their faults (belief in aura enhancing crystals, ostentatious cooking, and startlingly competitive obliviousness), no real mockery is ever asserted between any of

Local Theatre Reviews

Smalltown Boy — Brenda Callis

drag queen, Edie (Eliot Ditton), whose boyfriend Leo has died. Edie has arrived in Leo’s hometown in Cornwall at the slightly convoluted request of Steven (Theo Cowan), who is dating Leo’s best friend and former girlfriend Hannah (Shiquerra Robertson Harris). Edie has been asked there as Leo’s friend to help comfort Hannah, who is struggling to cope with Leo’s death. It becomes clear that Leo was not out as gay to his family and friends, who are shocked by Edie’s drag persona, as they were expecting Leo’s friend ‘Harry’ (Edie’s name outside of drag). Edie is faced with the prejudices and assumptions that arise from arriving in a small town in Cornwall in full drag. It is emotionally fraught, everyone is strug -

gling with grief and coming to terms with the fact that there were aspects of Leo’s life they didn’t know about. His mother, Claire (Kate Milner-Evans) is unable to truly process her own grief, which eventually bubbles over into an outburst near the end. Edie struggles with being tasked with helping Hannah with her grief, while still drowning in their own grief, finally breaking down and exclaiming ‘I was supposed to be the love of his life’. The audience never really learn who Leo was as a person, or what his relationship with Edie was like, which makes the play lack emotional depth at points. There are moments that break the heaviness that has settled over the theatre — songs, mock-WWE fights and lip-synced

Halls — Theatre With Teeth

them. As such, love is at the slightly shallow heart of the play and succeeds in lending some endearing nature to what can occasionally be quite plain characters. As a whole though, the chemistry between the flat is organic with the cast bouncing off one another, with each actor hitting their mark for the character.

THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE FLAT IS ORGANIC WITH THE CAST BOUNING OFF ONE ANOTHER, WITH EACH ACTOR HITTING THEIR MARKS FOR THE CHARACTER

IThe costumes did give a distinct texture and personality to each in the flat, even before they spoke, sometimes with just housecoats and PJ’s. (Though a character wearing an ‘Italia’ cap on the final weekend of the six nations is a brave move.)

Credit really must be given to the set design. There is a strong, nostalgic, and somewhat nauseous feeling of a first year halls in all its tattered and messy glory. Bowls left abandoned, a passive aggressive white board, and an unsettling obsession with Cheerios as if it’s the only thing eaten in the house. The set seemingly mirroring a sitcom in it’s wide, front facing layout. Yet it felt too splayed out and seemed to do little favour to the comedic action of the play. Large space and slow timing seemed to

pop culture references. We see heartwarming connections between a mother and a partner, bonding over the man they loved.

THERE ARE MOMENTS THAT BREAK THE HEAVINESS THAT HAS SETTLED OVER THE THEATRE –MOCK-WWE FIGHTS AND LIP-SYNCED POP CULTURE REFERENCES

The play isn’t perfect and could certainly do with a rewrite. It’s messy, but so is grief.

steal what could have been good moments of physical comedy throughout, giving way to a slightly sluggish feeling dragging on the action.

CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE SET DESIGN. THERE IS A STRONG, NOSTALGIC AND NAUSESOUS FEELING OF A FIRST YEAR HALLS IN ALL ITS TATTERED AND MESSY GLORY

What comes together is a warm, if ever so slightly tame, comedy about coming together in the unexpected with the imperfect people around us to do the right thing.

Hugh Boyd-Isherwood

Forever Young — Exeter Northcott

N the skeleton of the Northcott Theatre, across low, yellow sofas and knitted blankets, a band of headstrong ex-actors take their retired seats. Against all expectations for the elderly, this ensemble is ready to sing, shout, and get raunchy — much to the annoyance of their overbearing nurse, Sister Shea (Eliza Shea). Director Martin Berry brings a contemporary, regional production of Forever Young to the stage, adapting the piece for local relevance. Playing their older selves, the powerful voices of Molly Cheesley, Madison Grace, Eliza Shea, Pette Watts and Andrew Armfield carry beautifully through the Northcott, delivering iconic, well-loved hits from “Respect” (1965) to “I Will Survive” (1978), with Archie Combe mastering the keys — and refusing to take his medicine.

The creative team was challenged with balancing a multitude of extremes with Forever Young, which they pulled off with both force and sensitivity. The production teased its way along the lines between comedic and respectful; contemporary and classic; simple and surprising. While Forever Young naturally attracts an older audience due to its setting and characters, the bolder elements of the play, and the revised soundtrack,

made the performance fresh, engaging, and appealing to anyone who loves a good boogie — all while beautifully capturing heartfelt themes of friendship, aging and losing those you love.

BALANCING A MULTITUDE OF EXTREMES... PULLED OFF WITH BOTH FORCE AND SENSITIVITY

Tasked with a comedy that simultaneously tackles the struggles of reduced mobility, physical pain, and cognitive decline, using a younger cast to play their elderly selves posed the challenge of not relying on offensive, reductive stereotypes. At a behind the scenes event, choreographer Jodie Micciché outlined the thinking behind physical expressions of age: characters focused on exaggerating their own pains, aches, or vulnerabilities, imagining how their bodies would feel. However, to an audience unaware of this creative choice, the distinction between sensitive and comedic may have been blurred. The exaggerated slow walking, hunched over backs, and slapstick falls seemed

well-received by the audience in general — but a few faces in the crowd looked less than amused.

As the ensemble unfolded, comedy blended with absurdism more and more. In a slapstick argument between Mr Watts and Ms Cheesley, pranks reached a new level of bizarre, with Ms Cheeley stuffing the ashes of Emelda Staunton into Mr Watts’ mouth. Then, for the finale of the first act, lighting designer Charly Dunford struck comedic gold with the lights abruptly cutting to black at theatrical murder of a goldfish — a blackout caused by the unfortunate introduction of an active hairdryer to a bowl of water.

At the end of the play, residents took their

defiance to a dark extreme, and clubbed together to murder Sister Shea with a rifle. Just as they think she’s dead, with white sheets over her head, she rises back up to torment them over and over. The final song involved Sister Shea eerily singing “we might wake up tomorrow” in a deliriously positive, infantilising voice.

The absurdist twists of the play are open to various interpretations: is this merely comedic shock and a refusal to confine to the expectations of others? Or might this lewd absurdism represent the characters’ coming demise?

To me, the defiant joy that permeates Forever Young felt like a reflection of the Northcott itself: refusing to accept the ‘fate’ of struggling regional theatre in the current age, and instead choosing to celebrate life, music, and community against all odds. Lee Niedrum

FOREVER YOUNG FELT LIKE A REFLECTION OF THE

MUSIC

Best film soundtracks of all time

Cristina Ferrin Pereda argues for the importance of film soundtracks and how they influence our listening experience

ASOUNDTRACK is more than an accompanying piece. It should heighten all of a movie’s emotions, provide cues, and most of all, make a film memorable. A good soundtrack will immortalise a film, and so deeply intertwine the tune with the scene that never again will they be separated from one another. For example, no one who has watched Dirty Dancing will be able to hear 'The Time of My Life' without picturing the iconic dance scene. George Lucas famously suggested that sound and music are “50 percent of the entertainment”, turning a visual medium into a full sensory experience. In this way, it bridges the gap between audience and screen and is able to create immersive cinematic experiences.

Music in cinema has the pivotal role of dictating how a scene should feel. It can lighten tension, build it, evoke emotions, signal importance — the possibilities are endless. Many films, especially franchises, will choose to have

IWAS first introduced to the absurdity that is 'All by Myself' by Green Day through one of my housemates and it is safe to say it is one of the most jarring songs I’ve ever heard. This hidden track, which would be much better if it stayed hidden, appears on Green Day’s third album, Dookie . One of the most unsettling parts of this song are the vocals. Instead of Billie Joe Armstrong sing -

AS a massive Taylor Swift fan, it hurts me to say it, but ‘Eldest Daughter’ is just not a good song. The reaction to her latest album The Life of a Showgirl was pretty much like marmite; however, I will say that I enjoy most of it.

THE REACTION TO HER LATEST ALBUM... WAS PRETTY MUCH LIKE

MUSIC is subjective, so calling something the worst song of all time is obviously a bold claim. Still, every listener has that one track they simply cannot sit through. For me, that song is 'Gnarly' by KATSEYE. The frustrating part is that the group itself had a lot going for it. KATSEYE was formed through the global project Dream Academy, a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records. The idea was ambitious. A multinational pop group designed to bridge the K-pop system and Western pop markets. With that kind of backing, expectations were high. I remember being genuinely curious about what their debut music would sound like. Then I heard 'Gnarly'. The first thing that struck me was the

musical signatures for specific characters, such as the Michael Myers’ menacing theme tune. Horror movies often rely on soundtracks to evoke terror and trigger physiological fear responses. This was especially done in traditional horror movies like The Exorcist or Psycho However, I think credit is due when a movie is able to completely change perceptions of an already famous song and reformulate it. In particular, I’m referring to Jordan Peele’s 2019 Us He used a light-hearted and familiar 90s tune, ‘I Got 5 On It’ by Lunaz, and flipped it into a haunting horror motif. The whole meaning was

redefined as the beat was emphasised to be almost reminiscent of classic horror soundtracks like The Nightmare on Elm Street . Its popularity in the initial trailer is what drew them to include it multiple times throughout the movie, becoming increasingly more menacing at each appearance. The lyrics also resonated with the actual plot of the movie, the ‘splitting’ themes in the song echoing the concept of the ‘Tethered’. I think this choice of song was very fitting for such a unique concept of movie, and it made it stand out even more, undeniably becoming part of its identity.

On a different note, the instruments utilised in a soundtrack are essential to the mood it wants to evoke. John Williams orchestrated the score for Spielberg’s renowned Schindler’s List

The worst songs of all time

The movie itself is very touching and visceral, not holding back from exposing the horrors of WWII and the Holocaust. Here, the music does not simply accompany the movie but acts as a voice that speaks to the suffering and ultimate survival of the characters. The haunting violin melodies really make this movie. They are depressing on their own but paired with the heartbreaking scenes they are gems. The fragile sound is so fitting for the desolate atmosphere and its fragility speaks to the uncertain fates in Auschwitz. The score itself is a masterpiece of emotional storytelling in cinema, solidified by its Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1994.

An honorary mention I could not go without mentioning is the musical score to Greta Gerwig’s 2019 Little Women . It functioned as a musical without lyrics that used music to guide the non-linear narrative. Through its mix of pianodriven, waltz-like themes, and classical string arrangements, it provided a modern and emotional energy that highlighted the characters’ youth and creativity. It also earned an Academy Award nomination and managed to make a 150-year-old story feel fresh, energetic, and deeply personal. Now, there are many others I could continue discussing, but the important thing to remember is that a film is nothing without its soundtrack.

Music writers share their opinions on what they deem worthy to be crowned the worst song ever

'All by Myself' by Green Day

ing, drummer Tré Cool takes the lead, with an amateurish and downright goofy performance.

AN AMATURISH AND DOWNRIGHT GOOFY PERFORMANCE.

You really can’t take the vocals seriously

'Eldest

when you have a nasally, almost Spongebob sounding voice accompanying some of the most repetitive and bland lyrics you have ever heard. Apart from repeating “I was all by myself” an excruciating number of times, the lyrics come off as creepy, with lines like “I went in your room, I was all by myself”. If you thought that was it, then oh boy you’re wrong! When it comes to the story behind the song, let’s just say

Daughter' by Taylor Swift

Yet, her track five song is nothing short of cringe and that is down purely to the lyrics of the chorus. The music itself is fine; in fact, I actually really love the bridge. However, the chorus of the song just brings everything down to the point where it is not even listenable anymore. “I’m not the baddest, and this isn’t savage”? Yeah, it’s an instant skip for me.

Swift’s track fives are known for being

her most emotional and raw songs, which makes this one a massive disappointment.

IT'S AN INSTANT SKIP FOR ME

Kayleigh Swart, Editor-in-Chief

'Gnarly' by KATSEYE

production. The instrumental is loud and constantly shifting, packed with aggressive beats and electronic layers that seem to compete for attention. Instead of highlighting the members’ vocals, the sound feels crowded. Personally, I kept waiting for the song to slow down or settle into a clearer melody, but it never really does.

I KEPT WAITING FOR THE SONG TO SLOW DOWN OR SETTLE INTO A CLEARER MELODY

What bothers me most, though, is the lyrics. Rather than building a clear theme, the song jumps between random phrases and pop

all you need to do is focus on the lyrics to pick up what Cool was doing. This grating song is truly a disconcerting entry among Green Day’s discography. You can take this as a lighthearted, silly song and enjoy it, but for me, it puts me in fight-or-flight mode whenever it's played.

culture references. Early in the track the singers suggest that everything can be described with a single word, before tossing out examples like boba tea and a Tesla as things that are supposedly “gnarly.” Later lines lean into exaggerated bravado, including phrases about being attractive and confident that feel closer to internet slang than actual storytelling. Listening to it, the lyrics feel less like a narrative and more like a collection of trendy buzzwords stitched together. For me, 'Gnarly' remains a rare song where the hype, noise and scattered lyrics combine into something I simply cannot enjoy.

EDITORS: Sarah Gould and Katie Roberts

The end of the classical genre?

Hannah Oliver discusses whether classical music as a genre is dying

JUST imagine. Gliding around a chandelier draped ballroom, dressed in marvellous fabrics, dizzy not from the spinning, but rather the joy of being in this perfect utopia. Or feeling your heart rate increasing as you pray for someone to outrun the highwayman or pirate or villain of whatever story you seem to have concocted, only for the last note to end and you realise it was all a song. For generations this is the power classical music has held. It does not tell you what to feel with words, but rather evokes a whirlwind of sadness, joy, unease or love. With more entertainment industries using Taylor Swift rather than Tchaikovsky or Michael Jackson rather than Mozart, is classical music fading to its death? The recent controversy around Timothee Chalamet has left many people pondering and arguing about the classical genre

While attending a Variety and CNN Town Hall event at the University of Texas, Chalamet said something that cut a nerve with many. He commented how “[He doesn’t} want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.'" This left some wondering whether this timeless genre may in fact not be so timeless, and others outraged at the very notion. American artist Franz Szony made an interesting remark, replying, “Two classical art forms that have been around for hundreds of years, both of which take a massive amount of talent and discipline this man will never possess.” Although this is about ballet and opera, it is worth noting that acting is as old as humans themselves and no one would conceive it dying out, so perhaps the same should be said for these classical art forms. It is true that ballet and opera are loved globally, however with prices for every form of entertainment constantly on the rise, are they now only past times for the rich? Could this inaccessibility lead to their downfall?

COULD THIS INACCESSIBILITY LEAD TO THEIR DOWNFALL?

One such example of these outrageous prices is with the Royal Ballet and Opera in London. They have recently introduced a dynamic pricing system, where ticket prices are subject to change based on audience demand. This has skyrocketed some tickets to be as much as £415 for their performance of Wagner’s Siegfried . There has been

immense backlash over this but as this is based on demand, it proves that tickets at this price are still being bought. Thangam Debbonaire, chair of the UK Opera Association recently commented that the view that opera is only for “posh people” has “taken a grip on a lot of decision makers”. Making these art forms only available for a minority of the world is sure to expediate its downfall. On a brighter note, Netflix phenomena Bridgerton has proven that modern audiences love the classical music genre. It has revolutionised modern songs by instrumentally playing them in the style of large orchestras. It includes ballroom scenes with 'Wrecking Ball' by Miley Cyrus played by a string quartet and a whole range of songs by Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and even 'Bad Guy' by Billie Eilish.

Album reviews

Music writers review recent album releases

The Romantic by Bruno Mars

BRUNO Mars’ fourth solo album The Romantic lives up to its title, with suave and sensual lyrics backed by the eternally amorous sound of violins as well as Latin percussion and guitar. Spanning only nine tracks, totalling a short and sweet 31 minutes, no one can accuse Mars of profligacy. The Romantic is a laser focused collection positioning him as lover-man, perhaps in a more mature way than in his previous works. Despite all of this talk of love, Mars remains a bit of an enigma, focusing on soulful basslines and tunes rather than soul-baring lyrics.

MARS REMAINS AN ENIGMA, FOCUSING ON SOULFUL BASSLINES AND TUNES RATHER THAN SOULBARING LYRICS

Unfortunately, he at some points, makes the lyrics seem a little on the nose and unoriginal. Co-produced by Mars with D’Mile, with whom he previously worked on An Evening with Silk Sonic , the sound of the album is undeniably fantastic. Strong elements of brass, crisp rhythms and interesting vocal arrangements, the Motown inspiration is instantly recognisable. The vintage Latin feel contained within gentle mariachi horns and flamenco guitar can be seen within opening track ‘Risk it all’ as well as ‘Something Serious’, which swings almost

like vintage Santana. Perhaps these elements are there as a nod to his Puerto Rican heritage and also a clever way to revive the sound of the seventies, in a style that’s in step with the way Latin pop has become such a vital part of today’s mainstream. His vocals and overall delivery is given with one hundred percent energy. Why complicate what he does so well?

This is an undeniable half an hour of deep romance and funk designed to please the people.

This is concrete proof that perhaps with a twist classical music can appeal to every audience. Classical music is not a dying art form and I believe the biggest evidence of this is the backlash experienced by Timothee Chalamet and the Royal Ballet and Opera. It shows how many people wish to watch performances with this genre of music. Bridgerton is one of the most popular shows right now, and a huge part of it is its music choices. Classical music is a timeless genre and no one should fail to find some part of it they love.

WITH A TWIST CLASSICAL MUSIC CAN APPEAL TO EVERY AUDIENCE

Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally by Harry Styles

HE'S back. It was worth the wait — I quite literally haven’t listened to anything else since it released on Friday sixth March. Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally is layered with electronic pop, irresistible dance tunes and somehow still underscored with beautifully emotional lyrics. One minute you’re melting into the "there’s only me and you" of ‘Coming Up Roses’, and the next you’re livened up by the ear-piercing beat of ‘Pop’. It feels fresh. And it feels relatable. Life feels pressurising these days — but as I'm listening to the lyrics, I'm hearing stories of

freedom and connection. Lyrics like "do you just need a little love?" and "there’s no difference in between the tears and the sweat" explore the waves we go through in life. Styles captures the journey through love and selfdiscovery, and the ability to dance your way through it. And as ever, in comes the people’s rankings. Many have criticised Styles’ choice to release ‘Aperture’ as the album’s single. It may not be the fan favourite, but I feel it was still best suited to give us a taster of his new style — it balances disco instrumental and slow, soothing vocals.

IT WAS BEST SUITED TO GIVE US A TASTER OF HIS NEW STYLE

The entire album similarly floats through states of fast-pace and softness, and ‘Aperture’ encapsulates this. ‘Carla’s Song’ was destined for a last track spot. The repetition of "it’s all waiting there for you" feels poetic. You’ve been taken through a personal and insightful experience in listening to the album, and now Harry himself sends you out into the world, with everything you have learnt and felt. It’s resonant of his signing off ‘Fine Line’ by repeating "we’ll be alright" — there is a comforting quality to these closing songs. It’s perfect for walking, for the gym, for sitting and staring at a wall, and, most of all, for dancing.

screen

Actor Spotlight: Timothée Chalamet

Chandrayee Raha explores how the actor uses his platform, and the dangers of speaking out

FEW actors of the last decade have risen as quickly or as visibly as Timothée Chalamet.

From acclaimed performances in films such as Call Me by Your Name, Dune and The King, he has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most compelling young actors. Yet in recent weeks Chalamet has been dominating headlines for a different reason. Comments he made about traditional performing arts have sparked a wider debate about how actors use their public platform.

FEW ACTORS OF THE LAST DECADE HAVE RISEN AS QUICKLY OR AS VISIBLY

During a public discussion earlier this year, Chalamet described ballet and opera as “dying art forms” and suggested he would not want to work

in spaces where people were trying to “keep this thing alive” if “no one cares about this anymore” (EW.com). His remarks were meant to illustrate how modern audiences consume culture differently, but the phrasing quickly went viral and triggered strong reactions across the creative industry.

Part of the backlash comes from the irony of Chalamet’s own background. His family has deep connections to dance, with relatives who worked in ballet, making his comments feel dismissive to some artists in that field (The Guardian). Classical performers were among the first to respond. The celebrated ballerina Misty Copeland publicly challenged his perspective, while organisations such as the Metropolitan Opera defended the continued relevance of traditional performance (People.com).

Online reactions have been just as divided. Some critics argued the actor was belittling centuries old art forms that require extraordinary discipline. Others defended him, suggesting he was simply observing

that younger audiences now gravitate toward faster and more digital forms of entertainment. In online forums, one commenter argued that he was “saying slower art forms are not as popular anymore,” while others felt the tone of his comments sounded dismissive toward artists who dedicate their lives to those traditions (Reddit).

The controversy highlights a larger question about celebrity influence. Actors today are not just performers. They are public figures whose opinions travel instantly across social media. When someone as visible as Chalamet shares a viewpoint, it does not remain a casual remark. It becomes part of a broader cultural conversation. Whether people agree with him or not, the debate surrounding Chalamet shows how powerful a celebrity voice can be. His comments have uninten-

tionally reignited interest in classical performance and prompted discussion about the future of art itself. In that sense, the controversy reflects the complicated reality of modern fame. Actors are expected to be thoughtful public figures, but the moment they speak candidly, the entire cultural world is listening.

Review: Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere

Image:Flickr

Charlotte Isbell, Screen Editor, shares her thoughts on Louis Theroux’s dive into this divisive group of influencers

SPOILERS AHEAD

LOUIS Theroux is back — and this time he’s joined forces with Netflix for an investigative documentary into a growing and divisive online community of influencers. These influencers make part of the “manosphere” — an online landscape of creators seeking to redefine masculinity. Through live streams, TikToks and Telegram, they seek to reach young men who are keen to improve their looks or make a quick buck. In his documentary, Theroux spends time with Harrison Sullivan — or HSTikkyTokky, as you would find him online — who promotes apps and courses selling his trading tips and advice. But Theroux is keen to remind audiences that HS “takes a cut” of any money his audience put into these apps or watching his videos. It’s easy to forget this if you are an impressionable teen being called

Can “idiot” by an older, seemingly wealthier man online. Where I felt the documentary fell short is in its depiction of the manosphere as a strictly online community. Although these influencers reach their audiences by predominantly virtual means, this isn’t to say that they don’t have a real-world impact. Their attitudes towards masculinity and women have permeated teen culture and slang. With a frightening increase in misogyny in young men, we cannot isolate their impact into a merely digital space. The documentary failed to adequately portray how this online space has moved into the physical.

THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS MASCULINITY AND WOMEN HAVE PERMEATED TEEN CULTURE

Celebs Go Acting

Despite all the pressure the manosphere places on men to be physically strong, aggressive and assertive, what I hope shines through is that the documentary’s true alpha is Louis. He’s confident in his own skin and doesn’t rise to jibes or mockery. His silence is far louder than any of the angry men he interviews. And by staying quiet, he lets them expose their own insecurities and projections.

WE CANNOT ISOLATE THEIR IMPACT INTO A MERELY DIGITAL SPACE

Beth Casey, Screen Editor, looks into the best and worst examples of celebs giving acting a go

ELEBRITIES appearing on screen is far from a new phenomenon, and nor is the public ridicule they receive if this performance is anything less than Oscar worthy. Some choose to star in movies that are in someway representative of their stardom, and the experiences that comes with. For example, Eminem’s semiautobiographical 8 Mile explores the struggles of being a white wrapper in underground hip-hop in Detroit. In a more fictionalised route, Whitney Houston starred in The Bodyguard with Kevin Costner which details a romance between a pop star and her ex-secret service turned bodyguard. Lady Gaga is a good example of a musician turned actress that has been successful in this transferal of skills, with A Star is Born and the less loved Joker: Folie à Deux, while House of Gucci is simply a brilliant display of her acting abilities without the singing. All of these received critical acclaim, but it is

important to note these celebrities also have singing and musical talent to give their films an edge.

CELEBRITIES APPEARING ON SCREEN IS FAR FROM A NEW PHENOMENON

There have been a fair number of celebrities that have either failed to transfer this talent into a movie role or have little to offer in the first place and therefore must find different ways to standout. The Weeknd’s infamous performance in The Idol gave everyone a good laugh, and while many believed Kylie Jenner would do the same in her role in Charli XCX’s mockumentary The Moment, she seems to be receiving a mostly positive response for this role.

However, while art is art, there is also an ethi-

cal consideration for these roles. Is it truly fair for a well-known celebrity to use their fame to step easily into roles that other lesser-known actors would never even see the audition room for. The recycling of actors is already something that many people feel occurs too much, so should celebrities be put through more paces to get these roles? Or is the Hollywood machine built on who you know, so it’s fair game to use what you’ve got?

THE WEEKND’S INFAMOUS PERFORMANCE IN THE IDOL GAVE EVERYONE A GOOD LAUGH

Review: The Bride!

Emily

Rizzo,

Editor-in-Chief, offers her thoughts on the latest Mary Shelley adaptation

WITH a range of responses emerging in the wake of its release, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s latest film brings an explosive twist to the story of Franken stein’s bride in The Bride !

While many will inevitably have been drawn to the project thanks to Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale — starring in the lead roles — the movie has much to say to its audience, and trust me when I say: it will say it loud and clear.

Transposing the setting to flap -

per-era U.S. cities, Mary Shelley’s much-adapted story takes on a new life (pun intended) through a focalisation on the Bride’s struggle for identity, torn between the life she led as a Chicago socialite, and her new position alongside a decidedly romantic, compassionate movie-going Frankie.

While everything around her changes, screaming uncertainty and inciting a manic craze of unknowability, her entanglement with a vicious circle of gangsters and corrupt cops remains. In a series of narrow escapes and breathless chase scenes, the

pair — reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde in their volcanic and devious partnership — evade the law and dole out justice on their own terms, triggering a feminist revolution in the process.

THE PAIR EVADE THE LAW AND DOLE OUT JUSTICE ON THEIR OWN TERMS, TRIGGERING A FEMINIST REVOLUTION

The film’s themes and visual style are bold, beautiful and unapologetically in your face. When it comes to The Bride!, re-invigoration is the name of the game; much like Dr. Franken-

Review: How to Make a Killing

SPOILERS AHEAD

Istein himself, Gyllenhaal injects new life into the Frankenstein cinematic universe, and the film industry itself. The uncanny and surreal take precedence and emotion runs rampant, with the thematic and stylistic excess at the core of the film almost bursting at the seams, and electrifying the industry and cinephiles alike. See it in cinemas while you can, and I guarantee you’ll walk away with a smile plastered across your face.

GYLLENHAAL INJECTS NEW LIFE INTO THE FRANKENSTEIN CINEMATIC UNIVERSE

Ellie Jarvis reviews the latest film in the ‘eat the rich’ phenomenon

spectable but unremarkable performance as Becket’s counterpart, Julia Steinway.

NSPIRED by the 1949 film Kind Hearts and Coronets , John Patton Ford’s How to Make a Killing is a comedy thriller starring Glen Powell as the central Becket Redfellow.

Tired of his middling life, Becket eliminates relatives to reclaim a billion-dollar inheritance. There is potential for an interesting class commentary, but ultimately the film’s elements are not executed in a compelling way.

Even anchored by Glen Powell’s charismatic performance, the storyline is slowly poisoned by narration that would benefit from a more subtle approach. Meanwhile, Margaret Qualley delivers a re-

THE STORYLINE IS SLOWLY POISONED BY NARRATION ... WOULD BENEFIT FROM A MORE SUBTLE APPROACH

At one hour and 45 minutes, the pace remains engaging, while a striking and often opulent visual style is consistently impressive.

Yet the concept of obnoxious rich characters acting as parodies of the wealthy is not a new one. Bearing more than a re -

Images: Wikimedia commons

semblance to contemporaries such as Succession and The Menu in both its score, cinematography and narrative, the film forgoes an identity of its own. When asked what he would do with the billions, Becket replies he does not know. The film, likewise, appears

Background Entertainment

Wclueless in the pursuit of a point, failing to deliver on a premise others have mastered. Despite thrilling action, How to Make a Killing cannot carve a distinct identity from the pack of other, better ‘eat the rich’ movies. Familiar social satire fails to deliver a killing blow, leaving the film to get buried beneath the films that have done the genre justice.

[IT]

CANNOT CARVE A DISTINCT IDENTITY FROM THE PACK OF OTHER, BETTER, ‘EAT THE RICH’ MOVIES

Lauren Walsh, Deputy Editor, dicusses second screen culture in the current attention economy

E’VE all been there: you’re tired, you’ve had a long day and you sit down to watch something on TV. But then your phone buzzes and before you know it, you’re scrolling, lost to the depths of TikTok, and you’ve missed some pretty major plot points. Luckily these days it seems that if you’re watching a TV show then you’ll probably get a super helpful quick recap of the show every so often. But why?

The rise of second screen culture seems to be to blame — that is, the behaviour of watching or doing something on your phone or laptop (a second screen) while watching a TV show or movie (first screen). And because of this trend of movies being used as ‘background noise’ instead of receiving our undivided attention, screenwriters are apparently shifting their writing style accordingly, leading to the repetition of obvious exposition, and dialogue that just sounds kind of clunky, with characters explaining exactly what they are doing, and how, and why. Matt Damon claimed that Netflix told writers that “it wouldn’t be bad

if you re-iterated the plot three or four times in the dialogue, because people are on their phones while they’re watching.” and Jameela Jamill has reportedly said that, streamers asked “to acknowledge that people are on their phones the whole time they’re watching telly,” and writers should “simplify the plot so that they’ll be able to follow along while they browse on their phone.”. This way the viewer is perfectly able to understand what is happening without ever having to look at the screen. This is perfect if you are using a second screen and not paying full attention, but can be annoying if you are.

THE VIEWER IS

ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHOUT EVER LOOKING AT THE SCREEN

Another factor contributing to this, is the overall rise of streaming services and the sub-

sequent decline in cinema attendance. Streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more, have changed the film industry, resulting in more hybrid release models, where films are released in cinemas as well as on streaming platforms, usu ally resulting in more people watching the film at home. There was a brief period where it was feared that Netflix were going to acquire Warner Bros, which many were worried heralded the death of cinema, but Paramount ultimately won out. This presumably means that fewer films are expect ed to go straight to streaming than would have under Netflix’s deal.

you will not be on your phone, so you are effectively forced to watch a film with no distractions. I love the routine of going to the cinema and devoting your attention wholly to one movie

The cinema is one of the few places today where you can go and it is expected that

(I personally find that eating a whole bag of popcorn is often integral to the movie-going experience) and it is sad to think that some films and TV shows are being diminished to ‘background noise’ as a result of the rise of streaming services and second screen culture. That being said, who among us hasn’t been an unwilling victim to the addictiveness of short form social media content? So it remains to be seen whether the stylistic differences like those Netflix is supposedly suggesting to its writers are here to stay or not.

Excetera Excetera...

 Student 

 Stars 

CAPRICORN (22 DEC — 19 JAN)

Term is almost over. Term is almost over. Term is almost over.

AQUARIUS (20 JAN — 18 FEB)

Stop spending money now so you can celebrate later.

PISCES (19 FEB — 20 MAR)

Take it back to basics and write with a pen and paper.

ARIES (21 MAR — 19 APR)

Yes, you still need to do work over the Easter break.

TAURUS (20 APR — 20 MAY)

The clocks are going forward! It is all uphill from here.

GEMINI (21 MAY — 20 JUNE)

Yes cleaning is productive, but cleaning doesn’t have an approaching deadline.

CANCER (21 JUN — 22 JUL)

JSTOR is amazing but not the only resource out there.

LEO (23 JUL — 22 AUG)

You don’t need to get alcohol at the pub, I promise.

VIRGO (23 AUG — 22 SEP)

It’s okay, you can always lock in next year, probably.

LIBRA (23 SEP — 22 OCT)

Make a physical to do list before you forget everything.

SCORPIO (23 OCT — 21 NOV)

Its fine in freshers, but one day you have to learn your limits.

SAGITTARIUS (22 NOV — 21 DEC)

Yes group projects suck but don’t be the person who leaves everything last minute.

• but

Kayleigh

Let’s Talk About It...

Swart, Editor-in-Chief,

discusses overthinking and some ways to manage it

MENTAL health advice is everywhere, and a lot of it will start by telling you to take a break or have some time relaxing. While all that is important, what happens when your brain can’t relax?

If you’re unaware, ruminating (or to ruminate) is the act of thinking deeply about something. However, in mental health terms this can be defined by the act of excessively and repetitively dwelling on negative feelings, events, mistakes, or anything else that creates worry. This form of ruminating is not considered the same as problem-solving as the person is more focused of the thing that went wrong, rather than a way to make it better.

While this type of behaviour is commonly associated with many mental health conditions, it can happen to anyone. At some point almost everyone will have these types of thoughts. The nature of this type of thinking means it is incredibly difficult to break the pattern.

However, as someone who has struggled with these types of thoughts, I have a few things that have helped me get out of them. The first, and most effective thing that has worked for me is distrac -

tion. While I’m not sure if professionals will recommend this, I have found that distraction is the only thing that works in the very short term. Whether that is talking to someone about something random; putting on a comforting tv show or even going for a run — anything that gets me focused on something else is helpful right in the moment.

Other ways I manage in the short term is to try and turn my overthinking into problem-solving. This is of course not always possible, not every obsessive thought stems from a direct problem. However, when it does, I try to focus on steps I can take to solve the problem, and if there is nothing I can do in that moment, I try to keep that thought in my brain.

However, these short-term solutions are not long-term fixes. So, if you find yourself plagued with ruminating thoughts a lot, especially to the point it’s affecting your life, my best advice would be to get professional help. Not only do they know what they’re doing (a lot more than me), they can also tailor their advice to your individual situation. The University offer a range of well-being services, including CBT therapy, through their website.

AS the clocks are changing, and the rain is stopping (slightly), so I think it is the perfect time to start eating for spring! My friend Lani and I whipped up the super easy and super fresh salad the other day and it was a hit! So if you’re craving a fresh fix, here is the recipe for you!

Recipe: Spring Salad

Makes: 1 serving Cooking time: approx. 10 minutes

Ingredients:

·1/4 of a cucumber

· 1/4 red onion

· 1/2 large tomato

·1/2 tin of chickpeas

·A handful of black olives

·Olive oil

·Other seasonings

· Thin-cut steak (optional)

1. Cut up all the veggies into small bite sized pieces. Drain your chickpeas and give them a good rinse. If you prefer them cooked, fry them quickly in a pan.

2. If you want to add steak to your salad, fry it off in a pan in a little butter, salt and pepper. Let it rest for a few minutes once it is cooked for your liking. If using thin-cut it will only take a few minutes on each side!

3. Cut your steak into btie size strips. Add all your chopped ingredients into a bowl.

4. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the bowl. Then add your other seasoning. I personally like salt, pepper, cumin, some mixed herbs and a splash of lemon juice.

5. Give everything a good mix and serve!!

Kayleigh Swart Editor-in-Chief

EDITORS: Emily S Rizzo & Kayleigh

CROSSWORD

Across

1 Mendicants (7)

5 In favour of (3)

7 Sole (4)

8 Frequent - constant (8)

9 Quizzing - questioning - querying (6)

11 Unseen (6)

12 Ornamental shrub - ten acres, too! (anagram) (11)

13 From a confidential source (6)

14 Excitement (6)

16 Displaced people (8)

18 Expression of acknowledgement (informal) (4)

19 Type of compact disc (3)

20 Aspect (7)

ANSWERS

1 Extra advantage (5)

2 Man (informal) (3)

3 Haughtiness - disdain - boasting (9)

4 Plant fluid (3)

5 (Business) swindler (9)

6 Graceful cervine - redo ere (anagram) (3,4)

10 Fascinated (9)

11 Hotel facility (6,3)

12 Vie (with) (7)

15 Let (5)

17 Mischievous being (3)

18 Second person (3)

22 Menagerie (3)

SUDOKU

All you need to do is scan the QR code here in order to purchase your society membership from the Student’s Guild. After that you can join our Exeposé Members 25/26 facebook group in which you’ll find content calls from section editors on pretty much any topic you can imagine! We’ll have a link to this page on our instagram! If you see a content call that takes your fancy, simply comment under the facebook post, write your article and send it to the editor. Whilst they may send you some feedback or ask you to make a couple of changes, no articles will ever be rejected and we encourage writers to get involved regardless of previous experience. If financial hardship prevents you from gettng involved, the Guild offers a Society Hardship Fund, aimed at any student awarded the University Hardship and Retention Fund or who is unable to take part in societies due to financial barriers. We can’t wait to see all the amazing writing you guys get up to!

EDITORS:

Jed H. Gibbins Antoni Kałduński

Ex-Kiwi Prime Minister left New Zealand for Sydney

Emily S Rizzo, Editor-in-Chief, discusses Jacinda

Arden’s decision to emigrate

AT the end of last month, Jacinda Arden’s office confirmed her move to Sydney with her family, reigniting conversations of New Zealand’s “brain drain” issue. The former Prime Minister is in good company, with the BBC reporting that an average of 180 Kiwis emigrated every single day last year, totalling over 66,000 people overall.

This trend refers mainly to the vast number of young people who leave the country in order to find better job opportunities and evade the rising cost of living crisis. While the outpour has been prominent since the 1970s, it has intensified over the last five years, as noted by Alan Gamlen, the director of the Australian National University’s migration hub. Increasingly, young Kiwis are not only emigrating to Australia for studies and early career opportunities, but settling down “across the ditch” in order to escape New Zealand’s high unemployment levels and housing shortage. Significantly, this means that returning expats are no longer part of the immigration wave offsetting the brain drain, essentially making the move a one-way flow of people.

Despite the country’s famously idyllic landscapes, making it a hotspot for global travellers and tourists, concerns around New Zealand’s economy are growing among politicians and voters alike. Though the governing coalition stresses that the “brain drain” has long been a feature of the country’s socio-economic makeup, and pins more recent issues on the fallout of the

Covid-19 pandemic, other politicians are scrambling to gain voters’ trust before the November general elections.

Amongst promises of policies boosting the employment market and infrastructure that rely on cuts to immigration, or investing in housing construction, some experts have noted that the flow of emigration will also bring New Zealand greater experience and connections in the long run. In fact, despite the unease amongst young Kiwis about the state of the country, some policymakers, such as Housing Minister Chris Bishop, have remained optimistic about the progress currently being made.

Ultimately, though Ardern’s decision has brought these tensions to light again, it is unlikely that the economic state of New Zealand is the sole motivation for the move, with her notoriety as a public figure also a contributing factor.

As another Kiwi takes flight — ironically in contradiction with the flightless birds they’re named after — the long-term effects of New Zealand’s “brain drain” remain to be seen.

AS ANOTHER KIWI TAKES FLIGHT... THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF NEW ZEALAND’S “BRAIN DRAIN” REMAIN TO BE SEEN

Malaysian Airlines flight MH370

Daniel Mischke recounts the mystery behind the flight’s disappearance twelve years on

GOOD night. Malaysian three seven zero” — the final words uttered at 1.19am on the fateful day of eighth March 2014. Leading to 12 years of silence. No crash, no landing, no updates but the search continues.

NO CRASH. NO LANDING NO UPDATES

A flight on its standard route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, carrying 239 souls, flight MH370 vanished into thin air less than an hour after its final take-off. The aircraft, a modern Boeing 777-200ER, was flying normally when the final message was transmitted.

The aftermath really puzzled investigators and theorists. Military radar tracked the plane for another hour, discovering the flight deviated west from the flight route, crossing Penang and into the Andaman Sea, where it ultimately disappeared into the night.

Initial reactions of disbelief led to families waiting for hours at airports. Aimlessly wandering the airports looking for answers anywhere they could. Phone calls to loved ones that rang endlessly with families in denial the plane was gone.

In the days following the disappearance of MH370, a discovery made by the company Inmarsat revealed a haunting revelation. There was a serious possibility that the plane had flown for hours deep into the Indian Ocean. This discovery mobilised the

largest and most expensive aircraft search in aviation history, led by both Malaysian and Australian governments with state-of-the-art sea scanning technology.

Since investigations commenced, only a few fragments of the aircraft have washed ashore on the island of Réunion in 2015, where a flaperon was discovered. A harrowing realisation for investigators who were looking for the plane thousands of miles away but confirming the fact that MH370 did end its final journey in the Indian Ocean.

Due to the lack of answers, numerous theories have arisen. The most prominent theory was of a deliberate murder-suicide by pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah. This theory was further cemented by the fact that Shah had practiced this exact route on his home simulator. Other theories such as a hijacking, an onboard malfunction, or crew hypoxia have also been considered, with even more extreme theories having been circulated online, offering no comfort for the families affected.

12 years after the vanishing of flight 370, relatives campaign for the search to continue. Most recently, the independent company Ocean Infinity worked on a “no find no fee” basis, which concluded on 23rd January. Families have encouraged the Malaysian government to continue its partnership with the company to find the wreckage of the aircraft. Until the flight recorder is found, the fate of MH370 will always be suspended in time. A tragedy with no conclusion, but for the families of the 239 passengers, the hope is simple: to find closure.

Stranded in transit

Chandrayee Raha explores cancelled flights, rising fares and the role of repatriation

WHEN several major Gulf airlines suspended or sharply reduced operations, thousands of travellers suddenly found themselves stranded far from home. Airlines such as Etihad Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways play a central role in global aviation because their hubs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha connect passengers travelling between Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. When these routes are disrupted, the effects ripple across the entire international travel network.

Many passengers travelling from countries such as Australia, India, Thailand or Singapore rely on Gulf hubs to reach Europe. When flights were cancelled, travellers who expected simple connections suddenly discovered that there were no viable routes home. Some airlines managed to operate a limited number of flights, but the scarcity of seats pushed ticket prices far beyond what many travellers could afford. In several cases passengers reported paying several times the normal fare just to secure a seat on one of the few remaining services.

For governments, the challenge quickly became how to bring citizens home. This is where repatriation flights come in. Repatriation flights are organised either directly by governments or in partnership with commercial airlines to transport stranded nationals back to their home country. These flights are typically arranged through embassies and consulates. Travellers must usually register their location with their government, after which officials assess demand and coordinate available aircraft.

Passengers still pay for their seats in most cases, although prices are often regulated or subsidised.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has used this approach repeatedly in recent crises. British nationals stranded abroad are encouraged to register with embassies or through government travel advice platforms. Once enough passengers are identified in a particular location, the government works with airlines to organise a charter flight. In many situations the UK has relied on partner airlines or temporary charter services departing from nearby airports when the main regional hubs are unavailable. Because flights through the Gulf were disrupted, many travellers had to reach alternative departure points. Airports in Muscat in Oman or cities in Saudi Arabia became temporary gateways for stranded passengers trying to return to Europe. For some people this meant expensive last-minute regional flights, long overland journeys or days of uncertainty while waiting for repatriation schedules to be announced. The shutdown or reduction of operations at Gulf aviation hubs has highlighted how dependent global travel has become on these transit centres. Holidaymakers have faced cancelled itineraries and unexpected costs, while expatriate workers have struggled to return to families and jobs. For many travellers, the experience has been a reminder that international air travel relies on a delicate network. When a few major hubs stop functioning normally, disruption spreads quickly across continents.

Poland’s economic growth

Antoni Kałduński, International Editor, explains the country’s rising

POLAND’S economic transformation over the past three decades stands as one of Europe’s most compelling growth stories. Once a post-communist economy facing structural inefficiencies and low productivity, Poland has evolved into a dynamic, resilient market that is now surpassing long-established Western European economies in key metrics. The recent milestone of overtaking Spain in average income per capita highlights not just rapid growth, but sustained convergence with the European Union’s most developed nations.

A central driver of Poland’s success has been its effective integration into the EU. Since joining in 2004, Poland has benefited from substantial structural and cohesion funds, which have been strategically invested in infrastructure and education. Modern transport networks, improved connectivity, and upgraded urban environments have significantly boosted productivity and business efficiency. Crucially, these investments have not been short-term fixes but long-term enablers of economic expansion.

With a well-educated, highly skilled workforce and comparatively lower labour costs than Western Europe, Poland has become an attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Multinational corporations, particularly in manufacturing, business services, and technology, have established strong operational bases in cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław.

Another key factor is Poland’s economic resilience. Unlike many European economies, Po-

GDP

land was the only EU country to avoid recession during the 2008 financial crisis. This resilience reflects prudent fiscal management, a diversified economic structure, and strong domestic demand. A growing middle class has supported consumption, while rising wages and employment levels have further reinforced economic momentum. Poland is also rapidly closing the economic gap with the United Kingdom, a shift that would have seemed unlikely just a decade ago. With sustained high growth rates and continued EU-backed investment, projections suggest that Poland could surpass the UK in GDP per capita between 2030 and 2035. As noted by The Telegraph in early January, this trajectory reflects not only Poland’s acceleration but also the relative stagnation seen in some mature Western economies. Looking ahead, Poland’s growth trajectory shows little sign of slowing. Continued investment in digitalisation, green energy, and advanced manufacturing is positioning the economy for the next phase of development. Additionally, Poland’s strategic geographic location, serving as a bridge between Western Europe and emerging Eastern markets, enhances its role in regional trade and logistics. While challenges remain, including demographic pressures and the need for further innovation-led growth, Poland’s economic fundamentals remain strong. If current trends persist, Poland’s rise will not simply be a story of convergence, but one of leadership within Europe’s economic landscape.

International Women’s Day

Antoni Kałduński, International Editor, explores International Women’s Day

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day, marked on March 8, is now widely recognised as a global celebration of women’s achievements. But its origins are far more political than many people realise, rooted in socialist movements, labour protests, and revolutionary change in the early twentieth century. The idea first emerged from working class activism. In 1909, socialists in the United States organised a “National Woman’s Day,” focused largely on improving conditions for women working in factories. At the time, long hours, low pay, and unsafe environments were the norm. The movement quickly spread to Europe, where it gained momentum among socialist groups. In 1910, at a conference in Copenhagen, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed creating an international day dedicated to women’s rights. Her aim was not symbolic, it was about mobilisation, pushing for voting rights, fair wages, and political representation. The day’s

deeper historical significance is tied to the Russian Revolution. In 1917, women in Petrograd protested against food shortages and the impact of World War I, rallying under the slogan “bread and peace.” What started as a demonstration quickly escalated into mass strikes, helping spark a chain of events that led to the fall of the Tsar. It is one of the few moments in history where a women led protest directly contributed to a major political revolution.

THIS YEAR ... SHOULD INCITE BOLD CHANGES, INNOVATION

Following this, March eight became an official holiday in the Soviet Union, cementing its place in socialist and communist tradition. For much of the twentieth century, Interna -

tional Women’s Day was mainly observed in Eastern Bloc countries, often tied closely to state ideology. However, its meaning began to broaden when the United Nations formally recognised it in 1977. From that point on, it shifted from a largely political movement into a more global platform for gender equality. Today, the way it is celebrated varies widely. In some countries, like Italy, people give mimosa flowers as a sign of appreciation. In others, including the UK and the US, the focus tends to be on awareness campaigns, events, and discussions around issues like representation in leadership. Corporations, governments, and grassroots organisations all take part, though not without criticism, as some argue the day has become too commercialised. Still, the core idea has not changed that much. International Women’s Day is ultimately about progress. It started as a protest, and in many ways, it still is, just on a global scale.

MULTILINGUAL ARTICLE

South Africa’s wine country

Kayleigh Swart, Editor-in-Chief, discusses some of her personal recommendations of wine farms to visit if you’re ever in the Western Cape.

AS a South African, I have the privilege to find myself visiting the country almost every year, and since turning 18 I’ve been able to discover all the incredible wines South Africa has to offer.

Some of my favourite recent memories have been visiting wine farms on my family’s doorstep in one of the smaller wine regions — Durbanville — with family and friends. Not only do they make delicious wine, but most of them have beautiful restaurants that offer great food. My family and I went to Nitida for Christmas dinner and the food was incredible, the wine was also very refreshing in the 38-degree weather. A family friend introduced us to a winery called Klein Roosboom that offered a range of wine tastings. The unique part was that they took place in small rooms that were previously wine tanks. They’re made fully of concrete and are a great show of how wine production has changed over the years. Each room has a unique theme and all the staff are so knowledgeable about all the products! Our waiter opened a cork bottle in about five seconds, it was seriously impressive.

My personal favourite winery in this region has to be Durbanville Hills, which in my opinion makes the best sparkling wine. We’ve also had many lovely meals there. However, there are so many more wine farms / regions that

South Africa has to offer. It would be impossible to see them all. The town Franschoek is often called the ‘wine capital’ of South Africa and offers hop-on/hop-off wine trams that will take you to all the different wine farms. This experience is one of the most popular for tourists.

THE UNIQUE PART WAS THAT THEY TOOK PLACE IN SMALL ROOMS ... PREVIOUSLY WINE TANKS

My personal recommendation in this area is Babylonstoren, one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms. Focused on wellbeing it deserves a full day to enjoy all it has to offer. Route 62 is also popular for visitors! It is the world longest wine route (850 kms) taking you from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth through all the best wine towns! If you ever have the opportunity to visit South Africa, wine tasting is something you can’t miss out on!

MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS AREA IS BABYLONSTOEN

Suid-Afrika se wynland

Kayleigh Swart, Hoofredakteur, bespreek ’n paar van haar persoonlike aanbevelings van wynplase om te besoek as jy ooit in die Wes-Kaap is.

AS ’n Suid-Afrikaner het ek die voorreg om myself amper elke jaar in die land te bevind, en sedert ek 18 geword het, kon ek die baie ongelooflike wyne ontdek wat Suid-Afrika aanbied. ‘n Paar van my gunsteling herinneringe was besoeke aan wynplase nasste my familiehuis in een van die kleiner wynstreke — Durbanville — saam met familie en vriende. Hulle maak nie net heerlike wyn nie, maar die meeste het ook pragtige restaurante wat uitstekende kos aanbied. My familie en ek het Kersfeesete geniet by Nitida en die kos was ongelooflik; die wyn was ook baie verfrissend in die 38-grade weer.’n Familievriend het ons bekendgestel aan ’n wynplaas genaamd Klein Roosboom wat ’n verskeidenheid van wynproeë opsies aangebied het. Die unieke aanbieding was dat dit plaasgevind het in baie klein kamers wat voorheen wyn-tenks was. Hulle is heeltemal van sement gemaak en is ’n wonderlike voorbeeld van hoe wynproduksie oor die jare verander het. Elke kamer het ’n unieke tema en al die personeel is kennisryk vir al die produkte! Ons kelner het ’n kurk-bottel

WDIE UNIEKE AANBIEDING WAS DAT DIT PLAASGEVIND HET IN BAIR KLEIN KAMERAS WAT VOORHEEN WYN-TENKS WAS.

in omtrent vyf sekondes oopgemaak — dit was regtig indrukwekkend. My persoonlike gunsteling wynplaas in hierdie gebied is Durbanville Hills, wat in my mening die beste vonkelwyn maak. Ons het ook al baie heerlike etes daar gehad. Daar is nog soveel meer wynplase/ gebiede wat Suid-Afrika aanbied. Dit sou onmoontlik wees om hulle almal te sien in een besoek. Die dorp Franschhoek word dikwels die ‘wynhoofstad’ van Suid-Afrika genoem en bied “hop-on/hop-off” wyntrams wat jou na al die verskillende wynplase neem. Hierdie er-

varing is een van die mees populer vir toeriste. My persoonlike aanbeveling in hierdie gebied is Babylonstoren, een van die oudste Kaaps-Hollandse plase. Gefokus op welstand, verdien dit ’n volle dag om alles te geniet. Route 62 is ook populer met toeriste! Dit is die wêreld se langste wynroete (850 km) wat jou van Kaapstad tot Qquberha (voorheen Port Elizabeth genoem) neem deur al die beste wynstede! As jy ooit die geleentheid kry om Suid-Afrika te besoek, is wynproe iets wat jy beslis nie mag misloop nie!

MY PERSOONLIKE AANBEVELING IN HIERDIE GEBIED IS BABYLONSTOREN.

Sci-Tech

The gender pain gap

Bethany Last, Features Editor, discusses systemic gender disparities in healthcare and shares her own experience of not being believed by doctors

FOR years, I have suffered with symptoms that strongly suggest endometriosis and have had countless doctor’s appointments begging to be taken seriously, so I am no stranger to the entrenched history of female pain. When my discussions with my friends consist of “I feel like I’m wasting the doctor’s time” or “I’m being dramatic”, it is reassuring to know that there is now a factual basis for this.

The organisation Endometriosis UK reports that it takes an average of eight years and ten months from the first consultation to receiving a definitive diagnosis. Not that any research should validate your pain, but it has become all too common for women suffering from chronic health conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis. This moves me on to the systemic inequalities women must face in education and the workplace because of these undiagnosed illnesses. The gender pain gap not only prevents women from attending school or work, but there seems to be little in place to accommodate their bodies. According to Wellbeing of Women, “The Gender Pain Gap is influenced by several factors: from the historical lack of medical research into women’s specific pain, the lack of mandatory training for healthcare professionals on women’s conditions and underlying gender

biases in society”. The key word being “mandatory” here. Women’s health historically has not been a primary concern for medical research. Even the painkillers used to manage symptoms are often tested on men’s pain rather than women’s, which ignores biological differences. Furthermore, the additional costs that women must incur to obtain sanitary products, painkillers, and prescriptions are disproportionate to their wages. The NHS Confederation report found that “local authorities throughout England with higher ethnic diversity were found to have poorer access to women’s health services”. And those from more deprived areas were more likely to have substandard healthcare outcomes. This not only limits their quality of life, but it dismisses women from two of the most mainstream paths, having children and or having a career. Many women who suffer from these conditions have difficulties with infertility and require time off from work. Even in the 21st century, there still seems to be a stigma attached to openly discussing these health concerns with employers and or those in education. Many period products are marketed as life-changing and empowering, yet for many, the reality is very different.

However, more is being done to support women in education and the workplace, in -

Icluding providing free menstrual products to employers and students, and many universities are recognising menstrual health as a condition that warrants wellbeing and accessibility support and adjustments to learning around this unpredictable condition. Recently, Lily Reinhart gave an interview to ELLE magazine to discuss her experience with endometriosis and her diagnosis story. The interview revealed her desperation at a time when she spoke a language no one understood, and she opened up about her experience online to speak with other women who would understand. During the interview, she describes how, between hospital visits, she continued working and was expected to complete the films for which she was contracted, with no end in sight. She said, “It’s heartbreaking and disturbing to see how universally women’s pain is ignored and pushed aside”. Even a celebrity has found her experience with doctors negative, stating that she began to feel resentment towards doctors when they should have been the ones helping her. If it is this hard for a celebrity to be taken seriously, how are those from minority groups to be respected? With more scientists interested in researching whether those with the condition are more attractive, the world feels like an impossible place. In 2013, the study “Attractiveness of women

with rectovaginal endometriosis: a case-control study” was retracted from the medical journal Fertility and Sterility . With many of the treatments being band-aid solutions and the diagnosis process invasive and uncomfortable, what message does this send to the millions of women confused about what is normal and what isn’t?

The closing of the gender pain gap is far from over, but with more awareness about the condition and more research being given to the disease, change can happen. So, this endometriosis awareness month, please share experiences, and if you take anything from this, it is to check in with the women around you.

Studying with music — is it a good idea?

Daniel Pratt attempts to settle the debate over whether or not you should listen to music while studying

T'S midday. I need to make progress on this coursework. I have my coffee, my laptop centred on my desk, and I’m ready to write. But first! I need to put on my study mix. It's a strange facet of modern-day life we take for granted. As a way to alleviate the boredom of academic study, the unglamorous note-taking sort, we tend to occupy our minds with songs to stay focused. To the point, entire personas and music genres have been created around this concept (like the Lofi study girl). Yet is this another sign of our terminally online era's dwindling attention span, another way to keep our minds overstimulated and distracted? Or is music actually beneficial to our studies?

According to articles by Healthline and the National Library of Medicine , the answer is positive! Kind of. This subject dates back to the 1990s, with studies on the Mozart Effect serving as the entry point. The study suggests that after listening to Mozart's sonata, subjects' reasoning skills improved. Even so, these findings were controversial and irreproducible, leaving room for doubt. However, there is still precedent: music, first and foremost, is an evocative art form that profoundly impacts the brain, evoking

a response across most regions. Sounds can activate the motor cortex, feeling the urge to dance, or the prefrontal cortex, which recognises rhythm and beat. Or, most importantly, music can release dopamine, thereby improving cognitive functions such as memory, atten tion, and coordination.

This is what sci entific and psychological articles highlight: music can release dopamine, acting as a powerful mood regulator that focuses the mind and aids academic study.

However, as mu sic has various effects on the brain, it is impor tant to remember that it can also hinder study. Since music is evocative, it can simply override your focus, so if you are engaged in a strenuous equation or conducting extensive research, it could distract you.

Furthermore, it can impact your working memory, the information you use for problemsolving and cognitive tasks. People have varying levels of working memory capacity, meaning it might be hard to solve that equation while actively fighting the music you’re listening to.

In fact, rapid, booming lyrics can often make it harder to absorb information. So there are positives and negatives, which means what? I believe, as annoying as it will sound to those who dislike fencesitting, that it depends.

Music is a tool with numerous effects, depending on the genre, mood, and intention, all of which affect the listener. The listener themselves will process this information differently; some may thrive off the stimulation music provides, while others require

calm. There is no single neurotypical method or definitive answer to this question, so I believe the best we can do to reap the benefits of music during study is to experiment.

THERE IS NO SINGLE NEUROTYPICAL OR DEFINITIVE ANSWER

Music is a wonderful gift and can greatly assist your studies; therefore, it is key to try out different genres to see how they affect you. My personal preference is the LoFi hip-hop genre, instrumental tracks that enhance my study experience by providing background noise for my writing rather than becoming the sole focus. Yet heavy metal and power rock, two of my favourite genres, definitely distract me from writing because of their intensity. Overall, music while studying can be a helpful supplement, a strong way to regulate your mood and focus your attention on the more dreary sides of academic study. But one size does not fit all, and you need to experiment to find the best genre for you, or your study time will be disorganised and inefficient. Good luck finding your rhythm!

How much caffeine is too much?

Cristina Ferrin Pereda discusses how your daily iced latte affects your body

CAFFEINE is one of the most easily accessible drugs. Just a whiff of coffee is enough to get most people going every day. It’s easy to unknowingly become dependent on it, after all, it’s in the majority’s daily routines to drink coffee or meet for coffee — many social interactions take place over it. However, how do you know when it becomes a problem? When does it start to have negative effects on your life?

First, how does caffeine work? Caffeine keeps you awake by interfering with the brain’s natural sleep signals. Which is why it’s so effective when you pull an all-nighter for an exam. Normally, a neurotransmitter called adenosine builds up throughout the day and slows down nerve activity, which makes you feel tired. Caffeine binds to the same receptors and blocks adenosine from working, which increases brain

Cactivity and triggers the release of stimulating chemicals like dopamine. This increases alertness and reduces feelings of tiredness. Because caffeine takes several hours to be broken down in the body (usually five hours), these stimulating effects can last for a prolonged period.

CAFFEINE TRIGGERS THE RELEASE OF DOPAMINE

For most people, up to three cups (or 400mg) of coffee a day is fine, but this varies due to factors such as individual sensitivity, medications or even weight. Despite this, you may be consuming more caffeine than you think. It can be in unsuspecting things — soft drinks, protein

Is lunar hummus the future?

bars, ice cream, dietary supplements, and tea are just a few of them. Even decaf coffee isn’t purely caffeine-free, containing two to fifteen mg! It’s hard to decipher exactly what the pros and cons of coffee can be, as there is a lot of conflicting research. Some have found it to decrease the risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. However, others have highlighted potential health consequences associated with caffeine consumption — including anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure.

Overall, a cup of coffee a day won’t kill you, nor will the occasional caffeine binge during exam season. But it’s important to be aware of how caffeine really works and the different forms it can come in.

Rachel Baldwin explains a recent study which successfully grew chickpeas in lunar soil!

HICKPEAS have been successfully grown in Lunar soil, marking a significant advancement in the potential for human space habitation.

Texan scientists planted chickpea seeds coated in powdered arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in 75 percent Lunar soil (regolith) mixed with nutrients and compost, to counteract the inorganic substance, allowing the chickpeas to grow. According to the study lead, Jessica Atkin, “chickpeas are high in protein”, they could become a fundamental part of “space crop production”. The success of this study could bring NASA’s Artemis pro -

gram, which promises to send humans to the moon to further the prospect of long-term Lunar living, a step closer to reality.

Although the chickpea plants grew, they were affected by the toxic metals they took in from regolith, growing more slowly with smaller leaves, indicating signs of stress. One concern is that since the plants treated with the fungi lived two weeks longer than those without the fungi, regolith will need to continue to be combined with other nutrients to

enable safe food production. Especially since Atkin described regolith as being “a hazard unamended”, noting that “it is the worst. It is awful”. Consequently, this could slow down the establishment of human space habitation. Furthermore, it is still being confirmed whether the chickpeas are safe to eat, with the results being released in a separate study.

One author of the study, Sara Oliveira Santos, added that learning to grow food on other planets will be key to being able to explore more of space, as food can not be sustainably shipped using spaceships. Therefore, it is fundamental that we can grow food in regolith to help us “establish a lunar presence”. Ultimately, although it is unclear whether the chickpeas are edible, this development still marks progress towards the goal of long-term lunar living.

Hidden marsupials of the Vogelkop Peninsula

Ella Clark shares the remarkable discovery of two marsupial species which were believed to be extinct for

FOLLOWING extensive and careful research led by Professor Tim Flannery, the Pygmy Long-fingered Possum and the Ring-tailed Glider have been discovered living in the lowland forest habitats of the Vogelkop Peninsula in Papuan Indonesia — two marsupial species thought to be extinct for the last 6000 years. Species such as these, which are found to have survived, despite a lack of fossil records, are known as ‘Lazarus taxa’. The Pygmy Long-fingered Possum is a striped marsupial, with an elongated fourth digit which helps it feed on wood-boring insect larvae. It used to live in Australia’s central Queensland region until the Ice Age, and evidence of its existence was last discovered in West Papua, from around 6,000 years ago. The Ring-tailed Gilder has unfurred ears and a strong prehensile tail for gripping. This species is a remnant of a genus

6000 years

which lived in Australia and New Guinea hundreds of thousands of years ago, with fossil evidence found in West Papua in the last century. Professor Tim Flannery is a mammologist and palaeontologist working in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. He worked in collaboration with the University of Papua, the Global Wildlife Fund, the Minderoo Foundation and Indigenous elders, conducting tantalising sightings, tackling misidentified museum specimens and recovering sub-fossil remains. A ring-tailed glider was first photographed by Arman Muharmansyah, and the long-fingered possum was captured by Carlos Boccos in 2022. Working with elders and local clans was crucial, as it allowed a deeper understanding of the remote location and offered useful insight into the local knowledge about the marsupials. The Ring-tailed Glider also holds deep cultural significance for

clans, who protect the species as they believe it to be a manifestation of their ancestors’ spirits. The discovery has increased curiosity around the survival and extinction of species, and the possibilities within hidden biodiversity. Flannery felt that “the findings underscore the critical importance of preserving these unique bioregions and the value of collaborative research in uncovering and protecting hidden biodiversity”. Furthermore, it also offers insight into the impact of the continental drift, as the evidence reveals how Vogelkop was once part of the Australian continent.

THE FINDINGS UNDERSCORE THE CRITICAL IMPORTNCE OF PRESERVING THESE UNIQUE BIOREGIONS

Team GB wins Silver and makes history

Molly Panagi-Williams reviws Team GB's performance at the Milano Cortina Paralympics

IT'S that time again when the Paralympics celebrate those most tenacious athletes and their sporting excellence as they demonstrate the lengths they have been able to achieve with their disabilities. As with any Olympic or Paralympic games it has had its ups and downs (and not just on the ski slopes). Britain's Neil Simpson and his guide Rob Poth were successful in taking the silver medal in the Alpine Combined Skiing and took the first medal for Paralympics GB at the start of the week. However, three days following the pair were unable to finish their opening giant slalom run in the Men’s Visually Impaired event after missing a gate. Meanwhile, Nina Sparks makes history as the first female Snowboarder to take part in the Para Snowboarding at Milano Cortina. Managing a diagnosis of MS as well as being the only woman on her team she placed tenth as well as achieving her goal of attending her first Paralympics.

CELEBRATE THOSE MOST TENACIOUS ATHLETES AND THEIR SPORTING EXCELLENCE

GB's wheelchair curling has been unsuccessful at these games unfortunately. With one win to five losses, they have expressed their devastation for their best efforts coming up short. There’s been a few other disappointments for GB this Paralympics with Davy Zyw, believed to be the first Paralympian with Motor Neuron Disease, crashing during his snowboard cross pre-heat on the 8th of March. He was taken to hospital as a precaution but was thankfully back in action for the upper limb

division in the men’s banked slalom by the 13th.

NINA SPARKS MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST FEMALE SNOWBOARDER

Finally, it's been a notable games for the biathlete, Scott Meenagh. An athlete having attended

many games since his first attendance at the Sochi Games in 2014 with Para Nordic skiing through the Paralympic Inspiration Programme, this was his last Paralympics before retirement. He won a Para Nordic World Championships medal in 2023 after taking silver in the Individual Biathlon and a bronze in 2025 in the Biathlon Sprint Pursuit at the World Cup Torsby. Now 36, the athlete has acknowledged the importance of sport in his recovery after losing his legs and finished the games taking 14th in the men’s pursuit seated event, 18th in the para biathlon men’s 12.5km individual sitting event, and 23rd in the sitting men’s final. Overall, the outcomes for Team GB have been mixed, but their efforts are astonishing nonetheless and they can be incredibly proud of the medals they will be bringing back.

DAVY ZYW...BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST PARALYMPIAN WITH MOTOR NEURON DISEASE

Premier League match week 31 round-up

Alex Horton and Kayleigh Swart, Editor-in-Chief, give an overview of recent Premier League matches

THIS game week began with five games on Saturday, with Brighton beating Sunderland 1-0 through a Minteh cross?? One of the more confusing goals of the season, with Minteh seeming to attempt a cross into the box only for the ball to miraculously find its way into the back of the Sunderland goal. Meanwhile the other Saturday 3pm kick off saw Burnley and Bournemouth sharing the spoils at Turf Moor with a fairly dull 0-0 draw. Later on in the day, Arsenal managed to beat a defensively sound Everton with two goals in the last few minutes of the game. Gyokeres hit one home in the 89th minute to make

it 1-0. Everton sent their keeper up for a corner in added time leaving an open goal, giving Arsenal an excellent opportunity to make it 2-0. With this goal, Max Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in premier league history. Newcastle managed to put a dent in Chelsea’s UCL hopes with a 1-0 victory, despite some strange Chelsea tactics before the game, where they decided to huddle around the referee (another example of Rosenioir’s bizarre tactics). Elsewhere, relegation candidates West Ham salvaged a point against 2nd place Man City with a 1-1 draw, inadvertently piling the pressure on fellow relegation candidates.

Speaking of relegation candidates, on Sunday, Tottenham perhaps pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the weekend by drawing 1-1 away to Liverpool with a 90th minute equaliser, keeping them one point above relegation. Other Sunday action saw Nottingham Forest draw to Fulham 0-0 and Crystal Palace and Leeds United also draw 0-0. More goals were seen when 4th place Villa travelled to Old Trafford to face 3rd place Man Utd. With Man Utd coming away with all three points after a Bruno Fernandes masterclass that saw him get two assists. Meaning that Man Utd’s incredible form under Michael Carrick continues whilst Aston Villa’s current poor form

carries on (much to these writer’s annoyance). There was just one game on the Monday, Brentford against Wolves. A 2-2 draw saw both teams gain a point, with Wolves really starting to hit their stride but is it all a little too late, or could we see THE Great Escape?

IS IT ALL A LITTLE TOO LATE, OR COULD WE SEE THE GREAT ESCAPE?

Alcaraz stays perfect in 2026 with another statement win

Annabel Gowling, Sport Editor, discusses Alcaraz remaining unbeaten in 2026 following win at BNP Paribas Open

PWE'VE CREATED A SMALL ARMY OF LIFESAVERS

Despite Dimitrov’s experience and variety, Alcaraz consistently neutralized his opponent’s strengths. His movement around the court was exceptional, turning defense into attack in a mat-

LAYING in the Californian desert at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Alcaraz delivered a composed and clinical performance, winning in straight sets while barely allowing Dimitrov any foothold in the match. From the outset, the Spaniard dictated play with his trademark aggression, mixing powerful groundstrokes with deft touch at the net. The key to Alcaraz’s victory lay in his dominance during crucial moments. He saved the few break points he faced with fearless shot-making, while converting his own opportunities with ruthless efficiency. Particularly notable was his ability to raise his level on big points, an ace here, a blistering forehand there, leaving Dimitrov with little chance to shift the momentum.

ter of seconds. It’s this combination of athleticism and composure that has kept him unbeaten so far in 2026. With this win, Alcaraz moves deeper into the tournament, and at tention now turns to his upcoming matches. As the competition intensifies,

CONTINUED THEME OR ENGLAND AND 'BAZBALL' REGIME

he is expected to face tougher opposition, potentially including other top seeds in the later rounds. However, based on his current form, he will enter each match as the clear favorite. Alcaraz’s performance at Indian Wells not only reinforces his dominance this season but also signals his intent to add another prestigious title to his growing collection.

In loving memory of Emma Jolliffe

EURFC

Women honour a cherished teammate, as Poppy Leitch runs marathon in her memory and support of

Macmillan

EXETER University Rugby Football Club (EURFC) Women are coming together to honour the life of Emma Jolliffe. Emma joined EURFC Women in 2022, bringing with her a warmth and kindness that immediately resonated throughout the squad.

Though she had not previously played rugby before arriving at Exeter, it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the sport. Her enthusiasm, determination, and genuine joy for the game quickly became evident, and she embedded herself fully within the programme.

More than just a player, Emma was a cherished friend and a constant source of positivity. Her presence lifted those around her, whether

on the pitch or off it, and she embodied the very spirit of the club. Teammates remember her not only for her commitment to im proving and learning, but for the compassion and light she brought into every environment she was part of. Emma battled with brain cancer, showing im mense strength and resilience throughout.

Tragically, she passed away at the beginning of March. During her illness, Macmillan Cancer Support played a vital role in caring for Emma and supporting her family, providing comfort and guidance during incredibly difficult times.

In tribute to Emma, EURFC Women’s head

Tcoach, Poppy Leitch, is undertaking a remarkable challenge. She will run a marathon across Dartmoor in Emma’s memory, a powerful gesture that reflects both the love held for Emma and the strength of the club community. During the run, Poppy will wear Emma’s number 6 shirt, the same jersey she proudly wore throughout her time at Exeter. This act of remembrance is not only a celebration of Emma’s life, but also a way to raise awareness and honour the support provided by Macmillan. Please Donate if you can to Poppy’s fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.justgiving.com/page/poppyleitch-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Mercedes dominate Australian Grand Prix opener

Madison McNair discusses Russell leading Mercedes 1-2 in Australian Grand Prix Victory

HE start of the long-awaited 2026 Formula One season finally came about in Australia on 8th March, and let’s just say it was worth the wait. In a year where we are seeing the most dramatic changes to technical regulations in the history of the sport, the season opener was our first look into which teams and drivers seem like they have what it takes to come out on top by Abu Dhabi in December.

After an outstanding performance in qualifying, taking pole position by a significant margin to the rest of the grid, it was Mercedes driver George Russell who took home the victory in Sunday’s Grand Prix. After some early battles with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc in the opening stages of the race, with the two of them frequently overtaking one another for the lead, once Russell took back the lead and started to build up a gap to the cars behind, he was practically unstoppable. Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, finished the race in second place, therefore completing what is likely the first of many 1-2’s for Mercedes this sea son. In only his second season in

TF1, Antonelli is already proving just how much of a star he is. Going into the season there was a lot of speculation as to whether teams like Mercedes and Ferrari would make a comeback, or whether McLaren and Red Bull would remain the dominant. Rumoured to be a favourite for the championship by experts heading into the season, Russell’s dominant win has certainly proved that this faith has not been misplaced.

For a team like Ferrari, who spent the majority of last season on the back foot compared to the front runners, the Australian Grand Prix proved to be a major step in the right direction. After qualifying in P4 and P7 respectively, drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton each drove a brilliant race to finish in P3 and P4. Leclerc managed to jump to the lead at the start of the race and fought long and hard against George Russell before eventually falling behind. However, he remained on the podium and scored some great points for the team. In what is now his 8th season in F1, it

is obvious to many that Charles Leclerc’s goal for this season is nothing short of winning the championship. In the case of his teammate, the 7x world champion Lewis Hamilton, it was a shame to miss out on the podium by a very small margin. Despite this, Hamilton drove brilliantly and seemed much more comfortable and at peace with the car compared to the previous season. Only one race into the season, it would be too presumptuous to say that either team has the championship in the bag. If Australia is anything to go by, we can expect a lot of close battles between the Mercedes and Ferrari driv -

ers this season, with each of them trying to aid their team in winning the constructors’ championship, while also vying for the greatest accolade a driver could gain, becoming world champion in the drivers’ championship.

EXPECT A

LOT OF CLOSE BATTLES BETWEEN MERCEDES AND FERRARI

England fall short after historic Italy loss

HE past weekend saw England’s Six Nations ambitions well and truly wrapped up in the Six Nation’s championship. Having lost in brutal fashion to the Italian team, marking their first victory in 33 outings against England in game week four, the Roses then put up a valiant effort against a faltering French side to take them to the line, with France just edging the English out in the final

minutes of the game. Looking at England’s loss to the Italians, the English had built up a lead of 18 – 10 with little more than 20 minutes to go. Although with yellow cards for Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje coming in the second half, it was clear they were starting to faulter. This allowed for the Italians to swoop in and deliver the decisive blow eight minutes from time as Paolo Garbisi, Monty Ioane and Tomasso Menon-

WE ARE SEEING THE MOST DRAMATIC CHANGES THE

cello combined thrillingly to put Leonardo Marin in under the posts. As the final whistle blew, all England were able to do was watch as a jubilant stadium of Italians bounced with a historic victory — leaving Borthwick’s men uncertain of their way forward.

Looking at the final game week, we were left wondering what on earth we just watched. With a performance that somehow trumped Scotland’s 50 –40 victory over France the previous week, the match was packed with entertainment, jeopardy and an ending that left every viewer (including the Irish team, no doubt) on the edge of their seat until the very end. Undoubtedly, we saw a far more comprehensive and comfortable English side this time out, with the state of the team during the losses to Scotland, Ireland and

Italy admittedly not a high bar to succeed. The attack snapped into shape, asking awkward questions out wide, kicking with intelligence and offering punch though the middle. Tommy Freeman enjoyed his best game at centre for England, making smart decisions, running incisive lines and connecting well with his wings. The forwards took the fight to France with relish, thumping into contact, scuttling several scrums and making the driving maul a weapon against a heavier pack. Ollie Chessum, brought in for his heft, delivered in spades, scoring two tries, laying on a deft pass for Alex Coles' score and clanging about in close combat. They took a top-rated team in France to the very last second, and whilst not being able to seal the victory, they certainly showed an element of class when they decide to try. This however doesn’t excuse the previous performances over the past month which are sure to leave Borthwick with questions for his team.

Sport

Driving women’s sport forward this International Women’s Day

Annabel

Gowling,

Sport Editor, highlights University initiatives celebrating International Women’s

UOEWFC Tournament UOERFC Women’s Women in Sport event UOE Pickleball & Women and Law

Women’s History Month provides a vital opportunity to recognise the achievements, struggles, and contributions of women across history. Emerging from the global recognition of International Women’s Day, it reminds us of the importance of women’s leadership, representation, and the ongoing fight for equality in all spheres of life. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights the power of reciprocity and support. When individuals, organisations, and communities give generously, whether through time, resources, or advocacy, opportunities for women in sport continue to grow. When women thrive, the entire sporting community benefits. At the University of Exeter, this spirit was echoed on Thursday 12th March, when UOEWFC hosted a football tournament to celebrate both Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Held on the rubber crumb pitches, the event combined competition with creativity through its “Women Through the Ages” dress code, encouraging teams to celebrate influential women from different eras. The tournament was not only a celebration of women’s football but also a platform to raise awareness and support for important causes. Charities such as #HerGameToo, Women’s Aid, Girls Out Loud, Refuge, Fawcett Society, and End Violence Against Women Coalition were highlighted, encouraging donations and continued support. Events like this create inclusive spaces, celebrating women’s achievements, and supporting vital organisations, initiatives like the UOEWFC tournament really endorsing a “Give to Gain” attitude.

Women in sport continue to break barriers, challenge norms, and redefine what it means to be an athlete. Hosted by the University of Exeter Women’s Rugby club, a recent Women in Sport Evening highlighted the growing momentum behind this movement, bringing together athletes, coaches, and practitioners to celebrate female achievement while also focusing on education and wellbeing. At University of Exeter, the event reflected the increasing importance of creating spaces dedicated to women’s sport, not only to recognise success but also to address the unique challenges female athletes face. A central theme of the evening was the importance of understanding female-specific health. Topics such as nutrition and pelvic floor health were explored, emphasising how tailored knowledge can significantly improve both performance and long-term wellbeing. Female athletes have historically been underrepresented in sports science research, leading to gaps in understanding around their needs. By addressing these areas, events like this help to bridge that gap and empower women with practical, applicable knowledge. Beyond physical health, the event also fostered a sense of community. Opportunities to network and share experiences allowed attendees to connect with others who are equally passionate about advancing women’s sport. This sense of belonging is crucial in encouraging continued participation and confidence, particularly in environments where women have traditionally been underrepresented. Importantly, the evening also raised awareness for endometriosis, a condition affecting one in ten women in the UK. Despite its prevalence, it remains widely misunderstood. Linking sport with advocacy for women’s health issues reinforces the idea that athletic performance cannot be separated from overall wellbeing. Events like this demonstrate that women’s sport is about far more than competition. It is about education, support, and advocacy, creating spaces where women can thrive both on and off the field. As awareness continues to grow, so too does the opportunity to build a more inclusive and informed sporting landscape for future generations.

Sport continues to play an important role in creating inclusive spaces where women can feel empowered, supported, and connected. In celebration of International Women’s Day, a pickleball training session, delivered in collaboration with the University of Exeter Women and Law society, highlighted how sport can be used as a platform for both participation and positive social impact. Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, offers an accessible and engaging environment for players of all abilities. Its inclusive nature makes it particularly well-suited to events that aim to encourage new participants and foster a sense of community. Beyond developing skills on the court, the event emphasised the wider value of sport in bringing people together. The event extended its impact beyond sport by supporting a meaningful local cause. All proceeds were donated to CoLab Exeter, a charity dedicated to supporting women facing a range of challenges. Through providing a safe and welcoming environment, CoLab enables women to rebuild confidence, access vital support, and ensure their voices are heard. Initiatives like this reinforce the idea that sport can be more than just physical activity. It can be a tool for empowerment, connection, and change. By combining participation with purpose, this pickleball session reflects the true spirit of International Women’s Day, celebrating women while actively supporting their wellbeing and future opportunities.