Jack Mitchell

Whether it’s a new job, a relationship or even deciding what you’d like from the midweek Happy Hour menu, decision making can be difficult. According to scientists at Cornell University, adults make up to 35,000 remotely conscious decisions a day, depending on their level of responsibility. It can often seem like there’s a lot at […]

Not exactly a household name, Chris Lilley an Australian comedian who you either know and love or haven’t really heard of at all. For a certain few, the trailer for the release of his latest series Lunatics was something of a big deal. Known for mockumentary-style shows like Summer Heights High and Angry Boys, Lilley is responsible for portraying some […]

For those of you who didn’t know, it is currently Mental Health Awareness Week. Running from 13th-19th of May, it’s a chance for us to really consider where we’re at regarding the issue both individually and as a global community. Mental health needs to be addressed like any other health concern, and as long as […]

Over the past few days, the world has stood alongside Paris in mourning over the tragic fires which have destroyed major parts of the Notre Dame Cathedral in one of the capital city’s central districts. Notre Dame: A Tragedy Politicians, celebrities and public figures have sent their condolences alongside kind words to a nation in […]

Our world is obsessed with ‘other’ and ‘differences’, to the point that many make it their sole obligation to rid society of people who seemingly don’t belong. Recent differences in opinion over subjects like Brexit have caused division, ultimately leading to nowhere. This, alongside conflicts over religious beliefs and sexuality, serves to do two things: cause […]

Emojis have effectively become a language of their own, with people using them to communicate thoughts, emotions and even ideologies. If you think about it they are probably, in many respects, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the world of dating apps. Messages going […]

It would be completely futile to delve into why we all need to reduce waste and minimize the impact we have on the environment. From a barely-discernible ocean covered in plastic waste to footage of a lorry-full of refuse being pulled from a whale’s stomach, these images, however often they appear on Facebook and Instagram, […]

Finding a subject for your first weekly column is tough. After all, what follows is a struggle of sustaining a subject week in week out while maintaining a unique perspective. Heck, I’m already reiterating something Laura said in her first editorial. So, it would, therefore, make no sense at all to write about something so […]

Last night marked the 39th edition of the Brit awards. Held at the O2 in London, it featured show-stopping performances, deserving winners and much more. Here’s a brief summary of what when down during Brits 2019. The ‘Greatest’ Show The show opened and closed with some of the best performances of the night. Hugh Jackman […]

After watching Abducted in Plain Sight, it seems that a normal review will not reflect how this one-part documentary has affected all those who’ve seen it. In an attempt to do it justice, we have reviewed not only the film itself but people’s response to this truly unforgettable story. Bizarre, disturbing and downright sick Just […]

You may have heard of a ‘snowflake’, and thought, what does it mean? Naturally, your innate curiosity as a liberal, open-minded individual, makes you investigate this new insult people have been throwing around lately like salted peanuts at a 16th birthday party. Define: Snowflake According to the urban dictionary, a snowflake is someone that ‘thinks […]

You will have undoubtedly heard the news of Prince Phillip’s ‘little’ accident less than 24 hours ago. According to The Daily Mail, the car crash happened as he pulled out onto a main road in Norfolk. However, what does this story say about the media’s attention span? We want the 411 before you call 911 […]

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 […]

What with Brexit ruffling feathers all over Europe, Trump upsetting the world in general, and the year of prevailing political correctness, 2018 has been a turbulent one. The turn of the year is a time of mixed emotions. We feel sadness for lives lost, relief at having left things behind and live in hope for change […]

Who will be in the running? An X-Factor hopeful, a tired old queen with a classic, or the newest queen on the block? With a history spanning 65 years, the UK’s Christmas No.1 is an annual institution, and the race is on to see who will secure the coveted spot. Likely Contenders Ariana Grande has […]

The festive period is, if not the ‘most wonderful’ time, a slightly more joyous one than the rest of the year. With gatherings of family and friends, work parties and days off to celebrate the holidays, most people look like they are in a good headspace. However, the pressure to be ‘in the festive spirit’, as well as […]

It’s been [unjustly] hailed as a ‘dark drama that wants to be Breaking Bad’ that isn’t ‘quite up to par‘. I am talking about the Netflix Original series everyone should be talking about: Ozark. The series follows Marty Byrde as he attempts to launder money for Mexico’s second-largest drug cartel. As you might expect, this […]

There must be at least one person out there who agrees. It’s Christmas day. You delve halfway into a pile of presents – significantly smaller in size than last year – and you find yourself opening…please, no! It’s a Lynx set, again! To make matters worse, it’s either the abhorrent ‘Dark Temptation’ or every pubescent schoolboy’s […]

Not sure whether you’ve heard, but K-pop is becoming a worldwide phenomenon, with the likes of BTS making appearances on shows such as Ellen Degeneres, and collaborating with Nicki Minaj. However, this appears to be just the beginning, and we have a 2-for-1 deal for you right here. First up we have BLACKPINK or BLΛƆKPIИK, an emerging South […]

Anxiety is something everyone feels occasionally, although for those struggling to cope it can be extremely debilitating. Whether we blame society, technology or lifestyle choices, the sheer complexity of the human brain means we’re very much in-the-dark about how the mind works. The Power of Thoughts They say knowledge is power, and this is no […]

Ever stared at a label and been completely hypnotised by its bold claims? Whether it’s putting our minds at ease over animal welfare concerns or encouraging us to part with more money, people are employed to deliberately mislead us into feeling good about buying things. Consumers have been duped by advertising labels since the game […]

A story about the death of an icon, Gianni Versace’s assassination remains very much within living memory. His distinctive brand lives on today, and the circumstances around his death have once again been brought to life in Ryan Murphy’s adaptation: American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (ASGV). It has already  been broadcast on BBC, but is […]

Season 10 of Rupaul’s Drag Race has, thus far, adhered to the ‘gag-worthy’ blueprint of seasons gone by. In wake of AllStarS 3’s shocking conclusion, however, it’s hard to make even vague presumptions of what to expect next. Here’s our rundown of the story thus far (with spoilers if you haven’t watched episode six and untucked). Queens […]

2018’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang was pretty awe-inspiring. From masked figures descending precarious slopes to teams pushing a carriage down an icy runway, to then climb in and rush down at break-neck speed, it’s difficult to humanise the athletes involved. However, in the familiarity of our old school (High Spen Primary), which still retains the […]

Being a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race irrefutably comes with emotional baggage.  As Shangela often put it with her onslaught of Game of Thrones references, shock eliminations and unexpected departures –  namely BenDeLaCreme’s – are merely part of the narrative. However, I can speak for everyone when I say this series of ‘All Stars 3’ […]

Season 10 of Rupaul’s Drag Race has, thus far, adhered to the ‘gag-worthy’ blueprint of seasons gone by. In wake of AllStarS 3’s shocking conclusion, however, it’s hard to make even vague presumptions of what to expect next. Here’s our rundown of the the story thus far (with spoilers if you haven’t watched episode six and untucked). […]

In the midst of the action over in Pyeongchang, a community of athletes prepare themselves for a competition much closer to home this weekend.  It’s almost time for the Women’s British Classic Power lifting Championship in Manchester. Celebrating strength training [arguably] in its purest form, the competition attracts female athletes from around the country in […]

Attending secret gigs is everything for music lovers. Being aware of the intimacy and ‘exclusivity’ at such performances is undoubtedly appealing. Perhaps it reflects a more selfish human trait, in that some people are forbidden and it feels more of a privilege to be there. Introducing Sofar Sounds I had never heard about it on […]

Admittedly it’s a little late, but there’s still plenty of time to grab some cheap-eats for Newcastle Restaurant Week. The fact that it’s January means many are still feeling the post-Christmas-pinch. However, it’s still possible to dine out without spending a fortune with offers to take advantage of up until Sunday. Here’s my top five […]

If Lana Del Rey’s Lust for Life has become an integral part your own life since its release, it’s likely you will have formed emotional attachments. I also fully empathise. Therefore, when this comes under threat it probably feels personal. Very personal.     Del Rey announced recently that Radiohead were suing her for copyright […]

5/5 Of all the combinations in the world, ‘Bollywood Jazz’ initially seems an unlikely pairing. However, in order for cultures to truly respect one another, combinations like this are a must in today’s world. It’s not just an appealing idea, though: it sounds good too. What is Bollywood Jazz? The project is the brainchild of Supriya […]

My head is placed firmly in my hands once more. Actually, did I even have time to raise my head? This time the U.S. president has outwardly supported right-wing extremism in the UK, by retweeting several posts from ‘Britain First’s’ deputy-leader leader Jayda Fransen, Trumping everyone’s ever-lowering expectations.     Who is Jayda Fransen, what […]

It’s been one hell of a month for K-Pop boy band BTS. First, it was their showstopping performance at the AMA Awards, where the Hollywood elite warmed to their  hit single: DNA. They also just appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, marking their first U.S. daytime television appearance, which aired in America today. We’re a […]

It was an eventful night at the AMA Awards over in America last night. The star studded event, held in downtown Los Angles, saw tributes made to some of the biggest names in music past and present. However, we are going to talk K Pop, or more specifically: BTS. The seven piece sensation otherwise known […]

Another historic day another picture of a crowd bearing a huge rainbow banner. This time it’s Australia who have made the historic vote in approving same-sex marriage. Better late then never,  eh? After a tense 3 month campaign, during which numerous homophobic incidents were reported, from people having rocks thrown through their window to anti-same […]

If you’re in dire need of new threads, and a little low on coin, then you should really grab this opportunity. It could be your last chance for a thrifty deal before the mosh pits of Black Friday, the idea of which send shivers down my spine. After all, who wants to mutate over a […]

What would you do if I told you I know a free/easy/simple solution that can genuinely help our planet? Ecosia is a search engine like Google but has a very distinct mission: plant a b**p load of trees. Developed by entrepreneurial earth-lovers, Ecosia uses adverts (like Google) to make money, which is then used to […]

We love a good conversation concerning the weather here in the UK, don’t we? If you live in the North East and you’ve either ventured outside or even looked out of the window today – hopefully that includes everyone – then you’re likely to have been greeted with a slightly sombre looking sky. You probably […]

Needless to say, recycling is a crucial part of the human effort to save the planet, and this week is a chance to really consider the impact we have on the environment. It is now National Recycle Week, and it continues until October 1st. This marks its 14th year, which shows our commitment to tackling […]

It is a sad fact that many young people who didn’t vote are b****d at the result of the referendum. What’s done is done, so we’re now left to navigate our lives in seemingly much more difficult circumstances, as the UK distances itself from the continent. It would feel ‘right honourable’ to tell you everything […]

  We recently informed you of the ‘suspicious package’ found on the M1, causing major disruption part of one of the UK’s most important motorways. We’re glad to inform you that the incident is not being treated as a terrorist attack, although it remains a mystery as to how it got there. Police say the yellow […]

It’s almost time for our region to host yet another significant global event, not long after we hosted the Sunderland International Airshow. In case you didn’t already know The Great North Run (GNR) is this weekend. For someone who’s had it on their bucket list for as long as they can remember, I’m definitely feeling the […]

Whether you attended Reading or Leeds festival not, it’s likely you’ve heard something or another about the weekend’s events. It could be Eminem’s performance at Reading, where he started an encore of “F**k Trump” with the aid of the entire audience, who had no reservations joining in. As someone sporting a Saturday only band for […]

2 cities, 1 festival… Well, officially, Reading is just classed as a town. And it doesn’t matter, both are located in fields far away from their centers. Either way, this weekend is the time for one of the UK’s biggest and most established festivals, as performers from Leeds festival perform from Friday 25th til Sunday […]

It’s that time of the year for millions of students across the UK when they find out if those crucial predicted grades match reality, and if they’ve attained their place in further education. After months of arduous revision, grilling assessments, and a short break, the A-Level results are in. The tension experienced between exams and […]

Fan of Harry Potter? Have £995, 000 spare? If you do, this could be the proposition you’ve been waiting for, because Harry Potter’s childhood home is up for sale. De Vere House, or Godric’s Hollow as it’s fictionally known, is the hottest piece of real-estate on the market right now. It’s a Grade-1 listed, six-bedroom […]

Taylor Swift’s court case over David Mueller after an alleged sexual assault, in which he groped her under her skirt, came to a satisfying end today. The Jury found that he had assaulted her at a meet-and-greet back in 2013. Swift’s bodyguard testified that he had witnessed Mueller, an ex-radio DJ for KYGO station, had, […]

Two charismatic men, both of which are hairstyle pioneers and have the nations they lead head over heels. Who comes to mind? Presenting, in no particular order, Kim Jong-un and  President Donald Trump. Yes, you probably guessed, they’re at it again. This time, North Korea has threatened to attack the U.S territory and strategic military […]