Claudia Besant

Internation •

6 Eco-Conscious Cafes and Shops to Visit in Canggu, Bali

If you’re hoping to jet off to Bali as soon as Ms Rona packs her bags and leaves, then make sure to visit the paradise of Canggu. You won’t be stuck for things to do here, but for the eco-conscious traveller it’s always nice to know you’re not harming the environment while enjoying your much deserved break from reality. So, here is a list of six eco-friendly cafes and shops to visit during your stay: Silk Road is a jungle haven that offers a varied menu of tasty, organic wholefoods. Whether you
Internation •

The Clean Diesel Engine of the Future

A new revolutionary engine is in development that could solve a major pollution problem and help the haulage industry meet tighter emission standards. In order to meet the EU’s climate-neutral 2050 goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and the expanding Ultra Low Emission Zones in London, truck manufacturers need new technology, and they need it fast. Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs), such as long-haul trucks, are responsible for 30% of on-road CO2 emissions in the EU. Unlike smaller vehicles,
Internation •

“Murder Hornets” More of a Danger to Honeybees Than You

Although the Asian Giant Hornet was first spotted last August on Vancouver Island, Canada, it wasn’t until May that news broke in the United States about the invasive insect on its way, with its ominous new name, “Murder Hornet”. Unsurprisingly, it created much hysteria, with many purchasing hornet-killing pesticides, a reaction that would actually lead to the killing of more innocent pollinators. After the first nest of Asian Giant Hornets was destroyed on 24th October in the state of Washing

Trump Narrowly Leads in North Carolina Following Voter Intimidation Last Weekend

Partial results show Trump narrowly leading with 50.1% of the vote in crucial swing state North Carolina, which has almost consistently voted Republican in previous elections. This follows a tense week after attendees of a March to the Polls on the last day of early voting in Graham were pepper-sprayed by police, who are now facing a federal lawsuit of voter intimidation. The lawsuit, filed on Monday morning, accuses Graham and Alamance County police of excessive force against participants wit

Belarus Protest Art to be Displayed in Large Outdoor Campaign Next Month in Vilnius

Social media initiative, Artists With Belarus, is bringing protest art to the streets of Vilnius in a large outdoor campaign this November. Selected artworks will appear on billboards all over the Lithuanian capital to increase visibility of the human rights violations in Belarus. “We want to express support, draw attention to what’s happening in Belarus, and expose the artistic reactions to a wider audience,” said Urtė Karalaitė, creator of the initiative. The majority of selected artworks are
Books and Bao •

5 Manga Featuring Self-Willed Female Protagonists

Manga is appreciated by many for its endless range of genres, stunning art, and imaginative stories, but it can be difficult to find a manga that isn’t guilty of objectifying and stereotyping female characters. Shounen manga often depicts women with ridiculously large breasts and tiny waits, shown from revealing angles through the male gaze, or as sickeningly cute and child-like, idealised as innocent and vulnerable. They’re often characterised as either weak, submissive, damsels in distress,
Books and Bao •

10 Fine Line Tattoo Artists Around the World

Fine line tattoos have been a huge trend for at least a couple of years now, with celebrities like Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Halsey sporting multiple delicate designs. Fine line tattoos are often simple, discreet, and monochrome, but they don’t have to be limited to this; there are many tattoo artists that incorporate fine lines into their detailed, colourful, and eye-catching designs. Whether you’re looking for something understated and minimalist, or vivid and intricate, here are some

Myth Adaptation: Minerva & Medusa

"Perseus tells the tale of how he severed the ‘head of the snake-headed Gorgon’: ‘Medusa was once an exceedingly beautiful maiden, whose hand in marriage was jealously sought by an army of suitors. According to someone who told me he’s seen it, her marvellous hair was her crowning glory. The story goes that Neptune the sea god raped this glorious creature inside the shrine of Minerva. Jove’s daughter screened her virginal eyes with her aegis in horror, and punished the sin, by transforming the G

Parody: Jane Eyre & The Moon

The speaker came forward and leaned on the rails. He continued, uttering each word distinctly, calmly, hauntingly, but not loudly – ‘Mr Rochester has a wife now living and she isn’t all human. At night, when the moon is full, she takes the form of a terrifying beast. It is believed that she has killed countless men over the years, many in this area.’ ‘Yes, I attest to this, for she tried to kill me too not long ago. Look here, at the scar on my shoulder,’ cried Mr Mason as he stretched his neck

Short Story: Before Juliet

Rays of light reflect off my writing desk, making it glisten. I trace them with my fingers. Such a beautiful day is not meant to be spent indoors. I scan my bookshelf. Dante. Sophocles. Aristotle. Petrarch. Montaigne. Ovid. Far too much choice. Father would instruct me to read Sophocles, but I would much rather delve into the poetics of Petrarch. As I make my selection, my dress catches on some letters placed disorderedly on my bedside table. I sigh as I pick them up and scatter them over my bed

Interior Monologue: Pub Reflections

Where the hell is he? For god sake, Leo, mate, why can’t you just stick to your word for once in your life? My Coke’s nearly finished, just warm and flat, most of it melted ice. Maybe if I tap my glass another one will mystically appear and I won’t have to talk to the girl at the bar again…well, I just look like a prat now. She probably thinks I’m some creepy, loner guy sitting over here in the corner…oh whatever, couldn’t care less. Doubt she can even see me through the smoke from everyone’s bl

Short Story: Fair and Foul

‘O what a battle this week has been! Don’t you think bra?’ Madaki throws his arm around Beneke’s large shoulders as they stroll towards the car, parked and waiting for them outside the office. ‘Ah but it has all paid off my friend. You have worked so hard for this, we must celebrate! I know the perfect place,’ Beneke says as he quickly inspects the car before allowing Madaki to enter. ‘No no, I need to get back, I’m exhausted. I should probably see Elna too, she’ll be waiting.’ ‘O don’t worry ab

Misbehaviour Film Review: ‘We’re not beautiful, we’re not ugly, we’re angry.’

Misbehaviour, directed by the talented Philippa Lowthorpe, tells the story of the 1970 Miss World Women’s Liberation protest at the Royal Albert Hall, depicting the various actions and perspectives of those involved and highlighting the important reasons and motivations behind the feminist protest. I’ve long anticipated the release of this film, ever since hearing that they were filming a scene near my Mum’s work, who of course tried her very hardest to peak through the railings for a glimpse o

Kaleidoscope Suitcase

"At any given moment in time, the view in a kaleidoscope is complex, showing distinct colors and patterns. With a turn of the kaleidoscope, some of these colors and patterns become more pronounced, others less so, and new patterns and colors have emerged." - Linda Nicholson, ‘Feminism in "Waves": Useful Metaphor or Not?’ "Our feminism is one which has been expressed and shaped firstly through personal experience and then the political. It is a kaleidoscope of our past and our uncertain future.

German vs Chinese Fairy Tales

A Comparison of German and Chinese Fairy Tales: Examining Social and Cultural Critiques and Ideologies The fairy tale is traditionally an oral form, anonymously authored, and constantly changing and adapting over time as the familiar tales are passed down over generations. They are a subgenre of the folktale, which exists primarily as a popular, spoken narrative and originated, not among an elite, but among the unlettered ‘Volk’, the common people.[1] Fairy tales can also be referred to as ‘won
Global Hobo •

I Toured Amsterdam's Red Light District With My Mum

“Holy crap!” Mum shouts as a bike skyrockets past her, narrowly missing her little feet. “The bikes really own the roads and the bloody pavements here, don’t they?” “Maybe you shouldn’t stand in the bike lane, Ma.” She hops onto the pavement next to me and grabs my arm. Eventually, we manage to find a break in the army of zooming bikes and cross the road towards Dam Square. We pass a couple of shops sporting their impressive range of druggy products, from bongs to brownies to mushrooms to truf
Books and Bao •

A Helpful Guide to Enjoying Life in Canggu, Bali

Canggu is unlike anywhere else in Bali; it’s the perfect balance of calm and chaos. Everywhere you go there is a buzz of excitement, but it’s not hard to find spots of tranquillity either. Whether you are looking to surf, shop, exercise, meditate, eat incredible food, work, party, relax, or simply scoot around and explore, Canggu has it all. Before living in Canggu for a month, I’d never been to Asia or even caught a connecting flight before so I was extremely nervous when flying out. However,

GIRI/HAJI Review

GIRI/HAJI, meaning Duty/Shame in Japanese, is a new BBC Two eight-episode crime drama on every Thursday evening at 9 PM, or you can watch the whole series over on iPlayer. The story centres around a Tokyo detective, Kenzo Mori, who is sent to scour London for his gangster brother, Yuto Mori, who was assumed to be dead until a Yakuza boss’s nephew is murdered, starting a gang war. The cast includes Takehiro Hira as Kenzo, Yosuke Kubozuka as Yuto, Kelly Macdonald as Sarah Weitzmann, a Detective Co
Load More Articles