• Editorials An Interview With a British Cheerleader
    The first thing that comes to mind for many people at the mention of cheerleading is the beautiful, popular, mean girls in exaggerated American high school films, clad in skimpy outfits and armed with pom-poms, who reign over the school alongside their American football star boyfriends, muscular, cocky guys, almost always named Chad, Chase or […]
    Read Full Article
  • health Extortionately expensive American drugs now affordable?
    I find the American healthcare system frankly disgusting. Life-saving drugs are marked up by hundreds, sometimes thousands or even tens of thousands, of dollars to exploit incredibly vulnerable people out of every penny they’ve got.  Even the average American spends a ludicrous amount on prescription drugs, averaging $1,200 per year since 2018, and this sum […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials “She Was Just…”: The Problem with the Phrase
    Yet another young woman has been murdered. Ashling Murphy was a 22-year-old school teacher and strangled to death last week on the banks of the Grand Canal, Tullamore, County Offaly. The phrase “she was just…” has been a notable slogan used in response to the murders of women. “She was just walking home,” echoed after […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Failed your New Year’s Resolution? Here’s why
    As with every new year, 2022 has brought with it an onslaught of hope and motivation for self improvement. Energised by this fresh start, 1 in 7 of us have decided to set ourselves a new year’s resolution or two. Right now, in the middle of January, we’re witness to the rare sliver of time […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Should masks really be mandatory in schools?
    The Department for Education announced on 1 January that masks will be mandatory in classrooms for secondary school students. While people were expecting new rules after the Christmas break, many are angry about this new measure, and perhaps rightly so. While mask-wearing is something we’ve all had to get used to over the last two […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Should we be more concerned about Omicron?
    With every passing day, it feels like we somehow end up further away from an end to Coronavirus. With the rapidly rising numbers of infections with the Omicron variant in the UK, should we be becoming more concerned by this new strain? With the announcement of Omicron making its way into the UK, many people […]
    Read Full Article
  • Politics The risk asylum seekers take
    After the heartbreaking news that 27 people were killed following a failed crossing of the Channel, asylum seekers coming in boats are fresh our minds. But what can be done to prevent such devastating events from happening again? It’s hard not to immediately reflect on recent comments from Home Secretary Priti Patel who said she […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Are vaccine passports fair?
    As the world responds to life with Covid, vaccine passports are going to be an essential tool in maintaining safety. While these passports seem necessary, are they an objectively fair system? The vast majority of people in the UK have embraced and accepted the usage of vaccine passports, but there are some who believe that […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Booster shot provides increased resistance to Covid-19
    Across the United Kingdom, the Covid-19 vaccine rollout has gradually picked up steam. With recent evidence from the government suggesting that 49.5 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of the vaccine, it is clear that the vaccine rollout is improving. Recent evidence suggests a benefit to a third booster vaccine. […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Wetherspoons losses reach record high
    For the third time in the history of the company, Wetherspoons is facing down an annual loss. These losses are the worst in the history of the company. With the pandemic’s impact on hospitality across the globe, it is easy to understand why this has happened, but how extensive is the damage? The total losses […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Pet theft set to become a criminal offence
    Pet theft is without question one of the most harmful crimes. Unlike regular theft, you aren’t losing material goods, but a family member. Despite this, up until now, pet theft has simply been deemed as a loss of property to the owner. This, however, is looking like it is set to change. During the course […]
    Read Full Article
  • Environment Is a net-zero coal mine unwise?
    Coal mines are widely considered to be one of the worst carbon polluters on the planet. In 2019, emissions from Australian coal mines were higher than all other domestic activities within the country. Recently, a proposal to establish a net-zero coal mine in the UK has met resistance. The proposal from the West Cumbria Mining […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials The hypocritical anti-abortion movement
    In Texas, abortion has effectively been banned as the so-called Heartbeat Bill criminalises abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Multiple groups, including Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), requested that the Supreme Court block the legislation when it was first proposed in May. However, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the […]
    Read Full Article
  • Politics Afghanistan is our responsibility
    Post-9/11 we all know the story. The Western world was at a heightened sense of insecurity, anger, paranoia – the lot. We ended up invading Iraq with America – and we also all know how that ended. Tony Blair, Prime Minister at the time, can not do anything now without being labelled – rightly or […]
    Read Full Article
  • Politics The government’s office for culture war
    The UK Ministry of Culture really sounds like something straight out of The Thick of It. For those not in the loop, the show is set around the running of a fictional government department. It’s the worst department of the lot, and something similar to the reputation of the real-world Culture Ministry. Except in the real […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Summer travelling along North Coast 500
    With the continued complications of travel as a result of the ongoing pandemic, many people will likely be seeking alternative holidays this year. One suggestion which might be good for many people is Scotland’s North Coast 500. What is the North Coast 500? The NC500 is a tourist route starting at Inverness Castle which takes […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials What is critical race theory?
    Recently, critical race theory has started to crop up in headlines from California to Canberra. Of course, in the last year, race has become a much more prominent topic of conversation in the Western world. So, what is critical race theory – sometimes known as CRT – and why has it been gaining so much […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Lockdown: The Damage on Children
    A study conducted by University College London has concluded that the harm of lockdown school closures extends to children, with the most common illness being anxiety. Around 60% of boys and 47% of girls are said to be the major casualties. It has long been known that lockdown has had a tremendous impact on mental […]
    Read Full Article
  • Movies What’s Coming to Cinemas?
    Cinemas are back in full swing and it is summer season. There is a slate of upcoming blockbusters that are sure to spark interest among many who have been away from the big screen for a long time now. Let’s have a look over what is set to come out in the next few weeks. […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Cat food recall as deadly disease spreads
    If you’ve recently visited a supermarket, you may have noticed that areas of the store stocking cat food products appear quite bare. This lack of stock is not due to supply shortages, but rather a far more serious issue. Across the country, there has been a serious rise in cases of cats tragically being inflicted […]
    Read Full Article
  • News UK hairdressers to learn how to cut and style Afro hair
    In the UK, black people will know that they can’t just walk into any hairdresser in town and have their hair done. It is a common experience that most black people can relate to. There can be a look of fear and intimidation on stylists’ faces when confronted with an Afro or textured hair. Thankfully, […]
    Read Full Article
  • Education Should the government ban mobile phones in schools?
    The government are always pushing reforms into education in England, the most recent of which is to tackle the use of mobile phones in schools. The principal aim of the government is to keep the devices out of classrooms. This reform, however, is not backed by all educational professionals as some argue against the ban […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Sarah Everard and the Met Police failure
    When Sarah Everard, a marketing executive living in London, a Durham University graduate; a girlfriend, friend, daughter; a human being, was abducted, raped, and murdered by a complete stranger when she was walking home one evening, the nation was shook. For days, social media was ablaze with rightly furious women posting about what had happened […]
    Read Full Article
  • Politics Home Office spent £370,000 to settle Priti Patel bullying allegation
    The Home Office’s annual report and accounts for the year 2020 to 2021 confirm that the department spent over £370,000 to settle a top civil servant’s claim against Home Secretary Priti Patel. Sir Philip Rutman served as permanent secretary before quitting in February last year, citing Ms Patel’s behaviour as the reason behind his exit. […]
    Read Full Article
  • Politics The Disunited Kingdom? A Scottish referendum could change all
    Last week, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family were deployed on a tour of Scotland, dubbed ‘Holyrood Week’. She and the Duke of Cambridge visited an Iron Bru factory and later in the week, the Queen went to a car factory with Princess Anne. Whilst this seems like the usual fluff that […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Junk food adverts set to be banned before 9pm
    We all remember when we were young seeing adverts for junk food and begging our parents to buy us some from the shops. It’s hard to imagine a world where you aren’t subjected to endless food advertisements between programmes – but that could all change very soon. The UK government have made the decision to […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials The importance of SPF protection
    With incredible weather recently returning to the UK, many people will find themselves making the most of the sun and spending time outdoors. Will they be using SPF protection though? While you can’t argue with making the most of good weather in the UK, many people who spend large periods of time in the sun […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Is wild camping the answer to travel restrictions?
    With the future of travel being so unclear as a result of ongoing Coronavirus restrictions, many people have found themselves unable to take much-needed holidays. For anybody who lives in Scotland, the existence of the right to roam provides the ability to access all lands freely for recreational purposes – including wild camping. This right […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials The importance of defibrillators
    In the aftermath of Christian Eriksen’s harrowing ordeal at the Euros, universal praise went to the medical staff on standby. Their quick thinking might well have saved a man’s life that night. However, it reminds us that cardiac arrests are a rare but real danger during sporting events and any time of life. This is […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Companies reject GB News advertising
    The new GB News platform has stirred up plenty of criticism in its early days. While much of this criticism was contained to public opinion of the show, recent events have led to companies distancing themselves from the show. As the current situation surrounding advertising on the platform continues to develop, it’s useful to understand […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Mastering Politics: China’s Uighur genocide
    In the news for the past few months have been stories about an ongoing genocide in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. Most of the population living in the north-western region are Uighur Muslims and they are currently the victims of horrific government-sanctioned abuse. Please note: this article features mentions of rape and torture. Who are […]
    Read Full Article
  • Politics Trapped in lockdown with yet another delay
    Since March 2020, the UK has found itself trapped in what seems like a never-ending lockdown. With the recently emerging news that lockdown will be further delayed until the 19 July there have been many questions raised about whether it is necessary to continue the delays. Despite the disappointment surrounding the news, is there solid […]
    Read Full Article
  • health Overvaluation of services from NHS Test and Trace provider Serco
    NHS Test and Trace provides a system that aims to minimise the spread of Coronavirus. While on paper this system is extremely useful for stopping the spread, there have been numerous reports of underlying issues within the system. The most recent headline that Test and Trace has been caught up involves the government’s supplier, Serco, […]
    Read Full Article
  • TV Amanda Holden embarrasses the nation at Eurovision
    Residents of the UK have been quick to denounce Amanda Holden after she made an ignorant joke about the French and Dutch languages. Of all the places for such a crass joke to be made, Eurovision is not the one. The competition has always been a celebration of multilingualism and Europe’s vastly diverse cultures. Her […]
    Read Full Article
  • News French 18-year-olds given €300 culture pass
    French 18-year-olds are to be given €300 to spend at cinemas, theatres, museums, or on books. Should the move – dubbed as a ‘culture pass’ – be replicated in Britain? Given that cinemas and museums have been among many industries shut down in both countries, the potential boost in income from young people could be […]
    Read Full Article
  • News North East domestic abuse reports rise in lockdown
    Domestic abuse reports in the Northumbria Police region have risen by over 1,000 (5%) in lockdown, according to a Freedom of Information request filed to the force by Beep. 33,118 reports of domestic abuse were made during the period of 30th March 2020 to 30th January 2021, compared to 31,524 during the same period in […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials The Interview and The Aftermath
    As the country reels after the Oprah interview on Monday night with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Nicholas offers up his opinion on what effect the interview has had on him. My views Before having seen the interview, I believed the media narrative that Meghan was the sole reason for Harry abandoning his royal […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Uber drivers recognised as workers, Supreme Court rules
    A Supreme Court ruling on February 19th has stated that Uber drivers must now be treated as workers – but what does this mean in terms of Uber’s success, which has been steadily growing since its launch in 2009? Well, this means that Uber drivers must now be treated like all British workers, instead of […]
    Read Full Article
  • News 400,000 children could die in Yemen
    400,000 children under the age of five in Yemen could die from severe acute malnutrition, according to a report released this month. The Food and Agriculture Organization, Unicef, and the World Food Programme also found in the report that almost 2.5 million children under the age of five in war-torn Yemen will suffer from acute […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Coronavirus: Where lockdown went wrong
    Coronavirus has been, undoubtedly, one of the most shocking and unexpected (unless you’re Bill Gates) things to happen to the world since World War Two. It has shut down normality in one swift, succinct wave – and with this, it has claimed the lives of many thousands. But did as many lives have to be […]
    Read Full Article
  • News UK Terror Threat Downgraded
    The terror threat in the United Kingdom has been downgraded to “substantial”, according to the Home Office yesterday. Although this means the UK is still at a “high level of threat” according to Home Secretary Priti Patel, it is the lowest threat level since 2014. During the course of the past five years, the threat […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Brexit: The embodiment of everything wrong
    ‘Brexit’: the blatant jargon that has blazed our headlines not-so-graciously over the past three years. Once a foreign concept, the term is now something we are all too familiar with. That’s not necessarily a good thing. Regardless of your stance on the issue, I think we can all agree it has gotten completely out of […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials What Annoyed the Internet This Week?
    Despite having lived in the UK for my entire life, I always seem to be discovering strange new things about this island. One of the weirdest facts I’ve learned is that Scouse men apparently don’t use wallets. Instead, they just have loose coins and cards rattling around in their pockets. I found this out on […]
    Read Full Article
  • Editorials Theresa May: a goodie or a baddie?
    Theresa May has undoubtedly had one of the most trying and frustrating premerships of all prime ministers. And the worst part is that it was all caused by her own Party. The instability caused by members of Theresa May’s own Party in itself shows that she was not a masterful leader at all. Instead, it […]
    Read Full Article
  • health Five tips to fight your hay fever
    It is estimated that hay fever affects 10 million people in England. As a hay fever sufferer, I know that there is nothing worse than seeing everyone else enjoy the glorious sunshine while your nose runs and your eyes itch. To help the 10 million that spend their summer sniffing and rubbing their eyes to […]
    Read Full Article
  • News Boris Johnson announced as prime minister
    It was announced this morning that Boris Johnson is to be Britain’s next prime minister. Johnson, who was always tipped to win the Conservative leadership race, beat opponent Jeremy Hunt in a ballot of Tory members. During his campaign, he was endorsed by a number of high-profile Conservative MPs, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, Michael Gove and […]
    Read Full Article
  • Reviews Love Island Contestant Review
    We’ve got a text! It’s officially Love Island time on 3rd June where the hit TV show will entertain millions of viewers up and down the country. ITV has released the contestant line-up – and we’re going to go through it all with you. Following last year’s massive success, there are high expectations being placed […]
    Read Full Article
  • News UK Shrimps Testing Positive For Cocaine
    Researchers from King’s College London and and the University of Suffolk have made a shocking discovery about freshwater shrimp populations in Suffolk. While testing for evidence of chemical micro-pollution in rural England, researchers found traces of cocaine, ketamine and banned pesticides in all 15 samples they collected. The findings were surprising, given that the sample […]
    Read Full Article