A system of exploitation in which, knowingly or not, we all participate – Parasite analysis

18-year-old Sofiia Didenko analyses what the recent disagreement with the US could mean for Spain

Sánchez vs Trump: Spain’s prime minister says no to the US

On 28 February, the United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran, killing the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and sparking a wider conflict that has affected numerous countries across the Middle East.

sri lankan newsroom

Should IAL exams be postponed globally?

On 2 April, UK exam board Pearson Edexcel announced that in-person exams for the International GCSE, the International A Level and iPLS qualifications have been cancelled in the Middle East for the May/June 2026 series. The countries affected so far are Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

17 -year-old Lisindi Liyanage from the Sri Lankan Newsroom explores how the Middle East conflict is affecting international students

economics

Iran war fuels oil price hikes in the Philippines

Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency on 24 March, citing unmanageable rising fuel prices amid the escalating unrest in the Middle East following US and Israel’s attacks on Iran.

17-year-old Samantha de Mesa explains how Filipino transport drivers and consumers have been impacted by war in the Middle East

Film & Book Club

Igor Rybkowski and Mateusz Sarna, both 16, on Bong Joon Ho’s film considered the best one made in the 21st century

A system of exploitation in which, knowingly or not, we all participate – Parasite analysis

Rating:

17-year-old Sonia Rybus reviews Kristoffer Borgli’s star-studded premiere

Pattinson steals the show as Zendaya’s character is underdeveloped. The Drama review

The Drama is the ultimate cross-over of opposites: satire or thriller? The nerve-racking shots and storylines are flawlessly mixed with obscene humor and jokes.

Klara Hammudeh, Alicja Melaniuk, Karolina Orfinger and Antoni Popczyński, all 17, discuss the Oscars for acting

Oscars 2026. Four acting races, four strong opinions – and four correct predictions

Should an Oscar honour a single role in isolation, or also reflect a wider story about an actor’s career, public image, and cultural moment? The results of the 2026 Oscar night did not fully settle that question

Stigma, ignorance and cost behind period poverty in Sri Lanka

Despite menstruation being a normal part of girls’ and women’s lives, period poverty is still a major issue in Sri Lanka, especially in rural areas. This is driven by the damaging social stigma surrounding periods and the lack of affordable hygiene and healthcare.

16-year-old Hesandi Ravisinghe explains the causes and impact of period poverty in Sri Lanka

sports

Why March Madness brings Americans together

Across the US, the arrival of March brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, Spring Break, St Patrick’s Day and, arguably the most important, March Madness. Suddenly, everyone, from die-hard sports fans to people who don’t follow sports at all, is glued to their screens.

16-year-old Jennifer Yung-Coak explains the appeal of the annual US men's collegiate basketball tournament

society

What teen girls in the US think of the Epstein files

In January 2026, the US Department of Justice released the final tranche of records relating to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal, marking the latest development in a years-long investigation. The disclosures made headlines in the media across the world and have sparked conversations about misogyny, power and justice.

17-year-old Ava Miltenberg interviews teenage girls about their reactions to the latest release of the Epstein files

The finance and consultancy sectors have stolen a significant amount of top graduate talent, thanks to their high wages, fast career progression and institutional prestige.

Why graduates choose finance over public service

17-year-old Lukas Abromavicius on why finance attracts young people and what it means for society

afghanistan newsroom

Is traditional media still relevant in Afghanistan?

In today’s Afghanistan, social media and digital platforms are spreading very fast. Young people now spend most of their time on Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and other apps. These new platforms are easy to use and very fast in sharing news.

19-year-old Asal examines the role of traditional media in a digital world

Featured author

Anna Louise LovatWinner of the Harbinger Prize 2023 Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Anna Lovat (she/hers) is a senior at Como Park Senior High, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She plans to study entomology (the science of insects) and mathematics in college and is committed to bridging the gap between scientists and farmers. Currently, she is an intern at the Snell-Rood lab at the University of Minnesota, where she is researching the effects of toxins and heavy metals on insects.

Her favorite insects are wasps, and she is always willing to talk about them. When she isn’t talking, reading or writing about bugs, you can find her reading science fiction, doing her math homework, or poking various insects.

She is also the designated spider relocator of her family.

The Hungarian elections have finished, and they tell a story few thought was possible a year ago – Péter Magyar’s Tisza party won the election by a landslide, ending 16 years of far-right prime minister Viktor Orbán’s dominance.

Hungary election 2026: What Orban’s ousting means beyond Hungary’s borders

17-year-old Filip Wieczorek analyses the new government’s likely approach to the EU and other countries

afghanistan newsroom

Criminalisation of women: What does the Taliban’s latest order reveal?

On 15 January, a report was published from Takhar province, stating a new order that aims to “confront rebellious women”. The text, which is described as administrative and neutral, is in fact a new step in the intensification of restrictive policies against women.

18-year-old Maryam from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains how morality is being used as an excuse to control women’s lives

It feels like everywhere you look on social media, you’re being told to eat more and more protein. Influencers, fitness accounts, even regular people constantly push the idea that higher protein intake is always better.

What’s up with protein obsession?

16-year-old Irma Mecele debunks Gen Z’s obsession with their protein intake

economics

War and rising oil prices: Is the energy crisis benefiting Russia?

This triggered a sharp increase in global energy prices, and oil markets became unstable. Countries such as China, India and Turkey started buying more oil from Russia, increasing its export revenues. This raises the question: does the oil crisis benefit Russia’s war economy?

16-year-old Maria Fiala explains how the US-Israel war in Iran is reshaping Russia’s war economy

culture

How Egyptian teens are shaping new interior design trends

When you walk into a Gen Z bedroom in Egypt today, you may notice a shift. Traditional interiors often featured heavier wooden furniture, ornate detailing and dark tones, but many young people are opting for lighter, simpler and, in some cases, more technologically integrated spaces.

17-year-old Mutaz Sameh interviews an interior design expert about young people’s design preferences

human rights

Can a child be a criminal? A global explainer

What if I told you children can be labelled as criminals in some parts of the world? Would you be shocked or surprised? Making a criminal mistake at an age as young as seven – when your brain is underdeveloped and your actions are heavily influenced by others – could cost you your future.

17-year-old Jamie Chan explains how the minimum age of criminal responsibility differs around the world

society

From love letters to ‘likes’: The shift in teenage dating

Whether indulging in a 2000s rom-com or listening to stories of your own lovesick parents, it’s difficult to ignore the stark differences between modern dating culture and ‘traditional’ ways of meeting a girl/boyfriend of a few decades ago.

17-year-old Stephanie Kwok interviews teenagers about the problems with romance by social media

armenian newsroom

Armenia to strengthen child online safety after new data

Representatives of the Armenian government, UNICEF and civil society groups met in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, in early March to address risks to children in the digital space.

16-year-old Mane Hakobyan reports on new government measures to improve digital protection for young people

armenian newsroom

Armenia partners with F1 to develop motorsport and tourism

Armenia is expanding its cooperation with Formula One’s governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), to develop motorsports and tourism, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for young drivers.

16-year-old Carla Hamamjian from the Armenian Newsroom reports on Armenia’s growing partnership with the FIA

sports

Why did fans skip the 2026 Pro Bowl?

The Pro Bowl Games – the NFL’s annual all-star game – takes place each year the week before the Super Bowl. At this year’s event, on 3 February in San Francisco, something ugly happened: the Games drew roughly two million viewers on ESPN.

16-year-old Sofia Vorobei examines the reasons behind the viewership drop in this year’s NFL showcase

I’m Argentinian, and I haven’t met Messi, nor do I particularly like football. In fact, I only watch football every four years during the World Cup.

Messi, tango and… that’s it? Misconceptions about Argentina

17-year-old Malena Troncoso Sarni debunks common stereotypes about her home country, Argentina

sri lankan newsroom

2026 fuel crisis: Sri Lanka’s second economic crisis in a decade

The ongoing US–Israel war with Iran has posed a threat to global oil supplies, affecting many countries including Sri Lanka. Ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz carry a fifth of global oil supplies, and since Iran officially closed the waterway on 2 March, the price of fuel has skyrocketed.

16-year-old Hesandi Ravisinghe explains how the US-Israel war in Iran is affecting Sri Lanka’s fuel supply

armenian newsroom

UK consults on social media ban for under-16s

The UK government has launched a national consultation asking the public, including parents, young people and experts, whether social media should be banned for children under the age of 16.

13-year-old Vivienne Movsisyan from the Armenian Newsroom reports on the UK government’s moves to protect young people online

science

The dangers of UV exposure

It’s summer in Australia, the best time of the year to enjoy outdoor activities. There’s so much to do: going to the beach, hiking, swimming, exploring the outback… but the danger we forget about is UV radiation.

16-year-old Anastasia Kulikova explains how UV radiation can cause skin cancer, and how to protect yourself

On Sunday 12 April, Viktor Orbán’s 16 years of reign as Hungary’s prime minister came to an end after the centre-right opposition, the Tisza party led by Péter Magyar, won the general election in a landslide victory.

Hungarian election 2026: Gen Z celebrates victory of Péter Magyar

17-year-old Viola Papp reports on the result of Hungary’s election and the reactions of young people

Rating:

film & tv

Don’t be afraid of what you are. KPop Demon Hunters review

The film tells the story of the battle between the hunters and the demons, in which music is a weapon. There is some not too serious violence in the film, and Netflix promoted it for young audiences. A mix of a musical, coming-of-age comedy and fantasy got great reviews and massive audiences, even surpassing Zootopia 2 in box offices.

12 year-old Sara Małecka-Trzaskoś argues the Oscar-winning animation is a must-see film

afghanistan newsroom

Afghanistan’s wildlife deserves more than admiration

Afghanistan is often celebrated for its varied wildlife, but this reputation hides a troubling reality: the true state of Afghanistan’s wildlife is in decline due to inadequate legal protection and public indifference.

15-year-old Sara from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains why action is needed to protect her country’s wildlife

Growing up in Canada, a country with a globalised idea of culture, I have found that my own culture easily becomes overshadowed and it is difficult to learn about my ethnic background.

My experience as a second-generation Indian immigrant in Canada

17-year-old Siya Shah explains how her journey to learn more about her Indian roots has not been straightforward

As Hungary’s election on 12 April nears, it is clear that the main competitors are Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, which has been in power since 2010, and the Tisza party led by Péter Magyar.

Hungarian election 2026: Who is Péter Magyar?

17-year-old Lola Kadas analyses the main challenger to Viktor Orbán in this weekend’s election

culture

From evil to empowering: How Gen Z is redefining witchcraft

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘witch’? Is it a woman with a black hat flying on a broomstick and casting evil spells, or someone practicing tarot reading, astrology and full-moon rituals?

17-year-old Viola Papp examines the growing popularity of online spiritual practices among Gen Z

We’ve just come to the end of March, celebrated as National Women’s Month in the Philippines. Since it started in 1987, the lives of women worldwide have changed for the better; but despite all the growth within those 39 years, misogynistic mindsets still haunt women across the globe.

The line between fantasy and sexual harassment

18-year-old Ryleigh Lemsic examines the problem of gender-based harassment in the light of a recent scandal in the Philippines

society

Goodbye, beige interiors! How about some polka dot pillows?

When it comes to interior design, minimalism and muted colours have been in favour for a very long time.This trend is particularly popular with millennials, who ran away from the overcluttered homes of their parents and embraced a cleaner, simpler style.

18-year-old Sofiia Didenko analyses the latest interior design trends among Gen Z

What’s so valuable and special about this movie is that its true message is obscured by a peculiar and terrifying symbol, mixing consuming-like love, with every terrifying aspect of it, with the realities of addiction and the inability to escape one’s nature, and the need to deal with it all together with someone else.

Bones and All is an exploration of entanglement in dependence, where guilt feeds reassurance

Kaja Majewska, 16, analyses Luca Guadagnino’s iconic 2022 picture