Gair Rhydd

Xpress Radio: Digital, FM, Online

Cardiff University’s Xpress Radio is to become the first student radio station in Wales to broadcast live on DAB digital radio at midnight on March 1.

To mark the occasion, the award-winning station is hosting a launch party at Cardiff University’s Students’ Union club night Access All Areas on the evening of February 29.

Bottled water - not so cool

Councils are spending over £5million on bottled water, according to the BBC’s Panorama programme.

Carmarthenshire is estimated to have spent £70,000, putting it 20th in Wales and England, whilst Cardiff reportedly spent £27,222.

Star support for deported Ghanaian cancer sufferer

Trudie Styler, film producer and wife of music star Sting, is reported to have donated £10,000 to aid the medical treatment of a terminally ill Ghanaian woman.

Almost £30,000 has been donated to a fund set up to support Miss Sumani, which has now received the support of Ms Styler, who heard about the case through the publicity it received.

A clean election

The recent elections in Pakistan have taken place with little evidence of violence or result rigging, but many suspect that the apparent ease of the situation is unlikely to continue throughout the next few months.

Pervez Musarraf’s parliamentary allies have admitted defeat with the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), Chardhry Shujaat, telling the media: “We accept the results with an open heart (and) will sit on opposition benches.”

Spielberg ceases role as Artistic Advisor for Olympics

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg has voiced his opinion on the continuing genocide in the Darfur region of China.

The dispute has caused the country’s disputed and controversial relationship with the Sudanese Government to come under increased scrutiny.

Cardiff to strut its stuff

Cardiff is bidding for a spot on the international fashion map.

With fashion weeks held in all major cities across the globe, Cardiff is aiming to become the next stop on the circuit.

Voters’ choice

Students vie to voice their views in the SU’s Annual General Meeting

Cardiff University students have cast their vote on issues affecting their student experience in this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Students’ Union (SU).

After a year tackling controversial issues, such as facilities for smokers at the Union and the redevelopment of the Great Hall into a lecture theatre, the student body met to determine the way forward.

Royal recognition

Cardiff University’s Institute of Medical Genetics has received a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for excellence in higher education.

The award was presented at a ceremony which took place in Buckingham Palace earlier this week.

And the winner is...

Last Saturday approximately 250 Cardiff University students completed the 5km Fun Run course around Bute Park to raise awareness of the Invest in Sport campaign.

The hoards set off in staggered sets, but it was Mikey B (pictured right) who completed the course first in 14 minutes 49 seconds, making him this year’s winner. Dan Jones came in second place around 40 seconds after the front runner. The first female to cross the finish line was Cat Wood.

Cardiff lecturer takes to the Desert Island Discs

Sir Martin Evans, Professor of Mammalian Genetics at Cardiff University and Noble Laureate, has featured on popular BBC radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs.

The show was aired on Sunday February 17 and involved Sir Martin picking out eight pieces of music, inspired by Cardiff, books and a luxury item, which Evans would take on a desert island.

Playing it fair

Cardiff University is set to host Fairtrade Fortnight for the first time since receiving its Fairtrade status last year.

Fairtrade Fortnight, which will run from February 25 to March 9, will coincide with the Students’ Union’s Go Global campaign.

Freshers’ Week under threat

The Government’s Higher Education Council could enforce a ban on alcohol fuelled Freshers’ Weeks, as concerns over binge drinking rise

Universities are being encouraged to clamp down on binge drinking in Freshers’ Week, where students are encouraged to drink vast quantities of cheap alcohol.

Most university induction weeks see an abundance of cheap alcohol for new students as societies compete for new members by offering cheap or free drinks and students’ unions organise freshers’ parties.

Lectures get interactive

Cardiff’s School of Medicine has begun using clickers in some of its lectures.

Clickers are hand-held devices that can be used to answer questions in lectures or seminars.

Medical inconsistencies

Research exposes the varied performance of doctors training at UK medical schools

UK doctors vary significantly in performance depending on which medical school they attended, recent tests have shown.

According to new research that highlights the need for a national qualifying exam for all medical graduates, there are clear differences in the performance of almost 6,000 UK medical graduates from 19 different British universities.

Welsh newspaper fails to materialise

Following last week’s report regarding the launch of a new daily Welsh-language newspaper entitled Y Byd (The World), it has now been revealed that these plans have had to be abandoned due to insufficient funding.

This comes after the Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas announced extra annual subsidies of £200,000 for Welsh-language media over the next three years.

Cuba enters new era

Cuban President steps down from his role due to deteriorating health

Fidel Castro, the 81-year-old President of Cuba, resigned last week.

Issuing a statement in the daily newspaper Gramna, Castro said he was stepping down as a result of continuing health problems.

Zenyth victorious in Heat three of Battle of the Bands

After two amazing heats, the bands in Heat three had high expectations placed on them and they did not disappoint.

All four bands put in quality performances and the end result was one of the closest in BOB history with less than 1% separating the top three.

LGBT ‘Love Without Borders’ campaign launched in style

Last Monday saw the union launch its ‘Love Without Borders’ campaign as part of an international LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual people) project.

The campaign aims to provide support for groups in countries where homosexuality is criminalised.

Cause for celebration

Sam Smith, Chair of the Executive Committee of Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC), was recognised as an exceptional ‘Young Leader’ at the Leading Wales Awards 2008 last Thursday.

Sam, who is currently studying for an MSc in Sustainable Energy and Environment, impressed judges with his inspirational leadership and passion that he has displayed throughout his volunteering work based at Cardiff University.

Summer Ball record smash

This year’s Summer Ball is set to generate record ticket sales, with the potential of becoming the biggest solo university ball in the UK.

Tickets are selling faster than ever and students are being urged to buy theirs before Easter.

Students under fire in US gun attack

Kate Budd reports on the latest gun rampage to hit America’s college campuses and explores how it has affected the student body in Cardiff

Students were under attack at a University near Chicago on Thursday February 14 after a gunman opened fire during a lecture.

A man armed with two handguns and a shotgun killed six people and then turned the gun on himself.