• News The importance of our names
      The importance of a name shouldn’t be understated. This is what I discovered through my exploration of names and their significance.   I have recently started studying A-Level English Language, and one of the first lessons I had was on the importance of a person’s name. We had to research our own names in an […]
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  • British Will theatre survive the pandemic?
    One of the West End’s newest releases this year is Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ musical Cinderella, a darker version of the original fairy tale featuring theatre’s best, Carrie Hope Fletcher, in the lead role. The original plans of opening in July 2020 were scuppered by the pandemic and now the show has been put back numerous […]
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  • Music Taylor Swift’s Top Five Songs
    Taylor Swift is a versatile artist with a stellar back catalogue ranging in many genres. Her country music beginnings broke records (her original Fearless is the most awarded country album of all time), her pop career elevated her to icon standing, and recent foray into indie and alternative music has proved her legend status. Recommended […]
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  • News Is human evolution and its history about to be rewritten?
    For years, the history of human evolution has been widely observed and studied by scientists. The subject has often found itself changing recently and now there might be another twist in this long, complex story. A recent discovery in a well in China could potentially suggest that another human species existed alongside Humans and Neanderthals, […]
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  • News Why governments are taking UFOs seriously
    United States intelligence bodies are expected to deliver a report within the week where all the U.S. government knows of “unidentified aerial phenomena” (UAP) – commonly known as UFO – will be made public. UFOs have dominated debate and media once again after former President Donald Trump signed a 2020 Coronavirus bill, setting into motion […]
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  • News Dumb as a Dog? Study shows canine intelligence equal to toddlers’
    Research shows “Walkies!” isn’t the limit of a dog’s understanding of language, people and intonation. A dog is instead born with the intellectual potential of a two-year-old toddler, recognising gestures and phrases from as young as eight weeks old.  In a recent report from The Independent, a neighbour’s security camera captures a very good Ottawa […]
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  • Other Saoirse Ronan to star as Lady Macbeth
    In recent years Saoirse Ronan has established herself as a leading lady in film. Some notable highlights include her Oscar nominated roles such as Jo March in Little Women, Christine in Lady Bird and Eilis Lacey in Brooklyn. But does her lack of stage work make her casting as Lady Macbeth concerning? Absolutely not. There […]
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  • News Trans discrimination in politics needs to be stamped out, immediately
    In the USA, Representative Greg Steube has recently introduced new, anti-trans legislation. It is unlikely that a vote will even happen on the bill however the concept threatens not only young trans women but all young women In Idaho, a similar law already exists. According to the law in Idaho, the state or the school […]
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  • Editorials The Dogs, Rats and Cats of Insta
    I love animals -probably an understatement. I have six beautiful cats and a Staffordshire Terrier mix called Buster, so it is quite the mad-house at times. I love Instagram. So you should know what’s about to go down. This article is dedicated to the animals of Instagram I have grown to love over the years. […]
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  • Other Class Act! Podcast
    For years now you may have been reading the writing of myself and Bronwen Lowery on Beep quite happily, without disruption. I have written about the perhaps more boring, serious stuff, like the experience of northern students at Durham, while Bronwen has lightened the mood and brought the laughs. Most notably, she wrote a viral […]
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  • Editorials Logging out of online learning
    Getting my A level results this year was disappointing. In the time of COVID 19, it just felt so insignificant in the context of the world around me. The grades in themselves were OK, and I am very lucky that they were. They got me into Durham University who had also set a low offer […]
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  • Other The Best Podcasts
    Podcasts have become one of the most popular things to consume in modern popular culture. Essentially, it’s a little radio show in your ears on the go, or in your bed, and you can consume as many as you want whenever you want and however much you want. So, what are the best podcasts we’ve […]
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  • Other Step into our World
    Looking to add something to your UCAS form? Wanting to impress your future uni? Why not volunteer to write content for our website? Not only will it give you some work experience, but it may also land you a paid position within our organisation, creating and promoting content. Here are just some of the things […]
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  • Other Why the Name Matters
    When naming anything, whether it’s a book, an invention, or a nickname for a friend, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Recognition If a name is widely used, whether you like it or not, it’s here to stay. For example, if you decided to start calling toast “grilled bread”, people would […]
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  • News The benefits of bilingualism
    It’s common knowledge that learning a second language can do wonders for your career, but bilingualism is worth much more than a bullet point on a CV. Learning a foreign language often helps you to understand your own. By studying the complexities of a foreign language you learn to identify key features in your own […]
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  • Other How is technology altering the way we see the world?
    Augmented reality is a rapidly growing technology capable of changing the world around us. While it’s sister tech, VR, transports the user to entirely different worlds, AR focuses on modifying your world. It is defined as “a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite […]
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  • Editorials How to Spot a Psychopath
    We’ve all had times in our lives when we have genuinely wondered what is wrong with someone. They don’t seem to be connected to the real world at all, and they seem somehow not human. Well, it is possible that they could indeed be a psychopath. Now, I’m no expert in psychopath-spotting. However, I have […]
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  • Other 50 Forgotten Places to Look When You Lose Something
    Most of the time, when you lose something it’s normally found in an obvious place after about five minutes of looking. However, every now and then, we all lose something and it is absolutely nowhere to be found. When we do find it, it’s almost like a ghost has moved it somewhere completely random – […]
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  • Other Review: Marron Theatre Arts
    Have you ever thought about dancing or theatre as a hobby? I have been dancing at Marron Theatre Arts for eight years and I love it. With the training here, you get the skills you need to become a great dancer if you’re willing to put the work in. You also learn skills even if […]
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  • Other Combatting Exam Stress
    Exam results. They wreak havoc among the world in students everywhere. After revising, remembering to sleep, and then taking your exams, there is a lot of pressure to get a good mark-particularly if you are taking key exams in your life like your GCSEs or A-levels. These supposedly life-defining results could affect your job, your […]
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  • British Snow, Snow, Snow: A British Story
    Much of the United Kingdom has been beset by snow this week with weather warnings issued across much of the country. Areas of higher ground can expect “very significant” snow of up to 10cm whilst schools, airports and railway stations have all seen disruption. So that’s the current situation, but what about the bigger picture? Were […]
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  • British A week in mild amusement
    Collider Scope Cern is planning to build an even bigger version of the Large Hadron Collider. I remember when the last one was turned on and many feared it would produce a black hole that would destroy the world. I imagine it’ll be identical when they turn the new one on with the exception of […]
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  • News Karma Ain’t No B*tch
    The concept of karma originates from India and the Far East, mainly in Buddhism and Hinduism; it suggests that our current actions have an impact on the future. We’ve all heard the Culture Club classic ‘Karma Chameleon’, but what does it all mean? Is it really a bitch? Everyone, remain karma Fundamentalists of karma believe that our […]
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  • Books Why we need the Grinch more than Jesus
    Mediocre recent adaptations aside, I really like the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s a fable of the dangers of self-isolation, superiority complexes and shunning joy. The Grinch is a symbol equalling Ebenezer Scrooge in cultural ubiquity during December. And he’s better than Scrooge. Because he’s green and looks better on an ironic Christmas […]
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  • Other Rubicon Moment: Who was Jesus of Nazareth? (Part I)
    It’s that time of year again! Christmas is almost upon us. Christmas is my favourite time of year, it’s the time to reconnect with loved ones, eat Cadbury’s out of business and spend the cold winter nights sat in front of the fire watching the TV until you fall asleep. Of course, we all know […]
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  • Editorials Stan Lee: The Real Marvel
    Stan Lee was born Stanley Martin Lieber, on 28th December 1922 in the Big Apple. New York City. Home to a number of now well-known heroes like; Spider-Man, Daredevil, the Fantastic Four, and was the birthplace of Captain America (in Brooklyn). It serves as a hub for many of his stories. With different heroes crossing […]
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  • Other Rubicon Moment: What caused World War I?
    11th November 2018 marks the centenary of the end of World War I, the war that changed the face of the world and scarred an entire generation. Its significance cannot be underestimated, its fallout massive. Mechanisation, airpower, chemical weapons and ideology all led to a devastating conflict that spanned the globe, from the banks of […]
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  • Fashion 4 budget halloween costumes
    It’s the designated spookiest time of the year. And Halloween parties are near unavoidable. No one wants to be that person who constantly receives grief for their lack of costume. Not to worry though, your old uncle Kieran is here to help with a few costume ideas that won’t break the teeteringly fragile bank. Shaun […]
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  • Other How to Become a Morning Person
    For those of us who aren’t natural morning people, getting out of bed on a morning can feel like a form of torture. Now that we’re headed into winter and the mornings are becoming cold and dark, the wake-up ritual can seem even more hellish than normal. Luckily though, there are some simple things you […]
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  • Other ‘Peeping Tom’ – Just What Does it Mean?
    You may or may not be familiar with Lady Godiva. She’s hardly contemporary, apart from being referenced in a Queen song. Godiva, Countess of Mercia – to give her full title – was an English noblewoman in the 11th century whose husband ruled over the much-revered kingdom of, er… Coventry. Lady Godiva was, however, a […]
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  • News A week in mild amusement
    Let’s get down from business X-Factor contestants who were filmed excitedly enjoying business class were sent back to economy once filming stopped. I don’t see why people are annoyed by this. The short taste of opulence followed by a hard push back to poverty is great practice for the eventual winner. The only way they […]
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  • Other Historical Northeast: Durham Cathedral
    The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham (Or for those in a rush, Durham Cathedral) is one of the UK’s most recognisable cathedrals. Dominating the Durham skyline, the cathedral provides the people of Durham not only a spiritual boost but an economic one too, bringing over 755,000 visitors […]
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  • Other Beach Evacuated Because of Horny Dolphin
    When we hear that a beach has been closed because of a threat in the waters, we tend to think of something like this: Well the Bay of Brest in Landévennec, Brittany has been terrorised by a slightly more comedic creature than the Jaws great white: a sexually frustrated dolphin. Zafar, a 10 ft bottlenose, has […]
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  • Editorials Bronjour: Packing
    I only have a few days left in the UK before I head off to Montpellier and I’ve only just decided to think about packing. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a nightmare. Once again, I’ve scoured the internet to try and find extensive lists of things to pack (I’ll copy my own Year Abroad […]
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  • Other Why Do Phantom Smells Occur?
    Ever complain of a bad smell only to find out that you’re the only person who can detect it? This is a strange phenomenon called a phantom odour and research is being done to try and understand it. In a study published by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, researchers from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication […]
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  • Other Edinburgh Fringe 2018
    So I spent last weekend in the Scottish capital for my first ever experience at the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe. And I thought I’d briefly share my experience with the class with a few tips, reviews and not so subtle plugs. If you like unstructured ramblings then, boy, have I got the […]
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  • Other Why is Blue Light So Damaging?
    We’ve long been told that staring at screens for extended periods is damaging to our eyes but now scientists finally know why. We already know that digital devices and direct sunlight emit a type of light called blue light. We knew that this light was harmful but until now, we didn’t know exactly how or […]
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  • Other The Top 10 Healthiest Cities in the World
    Your health and fitness can be determined by a surprising number of factors including your age, financial status and even the city you live in. A survey conducted by Spotahome showed which cities are home to the healthiest people in the world. Health was measured using ten factors including work-life balance, amount of fast food […]
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  • Other 7 Ways to Know Your House Is Haunted
    Whenever you watch Most Haunted or some other ghost hunter TV show, the spirits and ghosts are always found in creepy places by people whose sanity is a bit questionable. These shows usually feature some middle-aged American lady with a perm and possessed looking eyes telling us all about how they have a ghost named […]
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  • Editorials The Madness of Buying New Cars
    The Madness of Buying New Cars Car Depreciation. If you’re in the market for a new (or even a first) motor then those are two words you need to get in your head. Sometimes we lack the foresight to consider the effects of vehicle depreciation. Either we expect to keep the car longer than we […]
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  • Other Marijuana Makes You Lack Foresight
    There’s a reason why the stereotypical movie stoner looks a bit like this: When people think of the average stoner, they think of lazy teenagers who bunk off college or work to sit around with their make-shift bongs all day. To many cannabis users, this a really common misconception but latest research has shown that […]
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  • Other Airport Lounge Passes – Are They Worth it?
    Airport Lounge Passes – Are They Worth it? Passing through a busy airport is not an enjoyable experience by anyone’s standards. They’re congested, confusing and unwelcoming, and the worst of it is that they’re vicious money-making machines. In busier airports, you are more likely to be held in the airport due to delays or feel […]
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  • Other Historical Northeast: Bridge over the River Tyne
    At 30 million years old, the Tyne is the second oldest river in the UK; beaten only by the Thames. For almost 2000 years, humans have been building bridges that span the width of the river. The Tyne Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks of the Northeast. At a height of 194ft, it […]
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  • Other 87% of the World’s Ocean Damaged by Man
    The fact that humans are destroying the Earth is old news. For decades we’ve pumped out toxic gases into the atmosphere, demolished mile after mile of habitat and filled the ocean full of rubbish. However what is new information is the scale to which man is destroying the world’s ocean. Research lead by Kendall R […]
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  • Other Stand-Out CVs
    Finding and securing a job is one of the most frustrating experiences. Ultimately and despite what people with rich parents say, it all boils down to luck unless you have tons of connections. If you’re not in the right place at the right time, you may miss opportunities or not have the right interactions. For […]
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  • Other Ouch!!
    If you’ve been relaxing outdoors in this hot weather you may want to start taking a fly swatter with you. More and more people in the UK are being treated in hospital because of bites. While most insect bites seem trivial and nothing much more sinister than just being itchy and annoying, bites from some […]
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  • Other B**P REWIND: The Problem With Spell Checkers
    Picture the scene:  Armed with your ‘special occasion’ stationery and favourite writing paper, you’re approaching the end of another arduous English essay, embellishing it with your finest joined up writing – that you spent 6 years learning in primary school – and festooning it with the type of adjectives one could only dream of, when […]
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  • Other Conceiving in Winter reduces obseity
    Everything a mother does during and before pregnancy typically has a huge effect on a baby’s future. However, factors surrounding the father in the moments before conception have been shown to have an impact on the likelihood of their offspring becoming obese. In a study published by Nature Medicine, the research found that men who […]
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