LONDON – Ariana Grande’s latest album eternal sunshine is a defiant response to critics of her relationships and a personal portrayal of her own insecurities.   The album, released March 8, takes its name from director Michel Gondry’s 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and features 13 songs that blend pop, R&B, dance, and rap influences.   The catchy disco track “yes, and?” was released as a prelude to the album, serving as a bold response to backlash Grande faced regarding allegations of cheating with married Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.   T ..read more

Lisbon, PORTUGAL – “Morangos com Açúcar” (Strawberries with Sugar) is a well-known and beloved Portuguese television series released in 2003 and loved by teenagers. Although any Portuguese person would say it was a success, but a remake 20 years later by TVI – the same TV channel that transmitted the original series – isn’t so great. The original series, which had many episodes and several summer specials, took place in Colégio da Barra (Barra School) and followed the life of several teenagers and their school years. Vítor Fonseca, Tiago Castro, Rita Pereira and Pedro Teixeira are some example ..read more

Contains spoilers. Midlothian, Texas, U.S.A. – Dune: Part Two is breathtaking in multiple aspects and a wonderful experience. This film stands out as as potential premiere cinematic experience of 2024. Every aspect of this film delivers, even going so far as giving me goosebumps on multiple occasions, which could have been in part the IMAX viewing. The visuals, as with most other films by director Denis Villeneuve, are definitely the standout. The cinematography is flawless and brilliantly breathtaking. From the shots and how they follow to the sheer and absolutely immaculate framing of the mo ..read more

Perth, AUSTRALIA – After a horrific stabbing in a Sydney mall that claimed six lives – five of them women – and a rise in deaths from domestic violence, thousands of Australians took to the streets to protest gender-based violence. Erin Baskerbille and her daughter, Alice at the rally in Perth. (Marit Nair/YJI) Rallies and marches took place across the country, with survivors sharing stories and activists demanding government action. The nation’s rates of domestic violence are “a disgrace,” said Erin Baskerbille, a woman who attended a recent rally in Perth. Standing behind her mum, Baskerbill ..read more

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA – Less than a month ago, a terrifying stabbing massacre occurred in Sydney’s Westfield Bondi Junction, leaving six dead, more injured and a nation horrified. Five of the dead were women, with police confidently stating that it was gendered violence. Before the month ended, more women had gone missing or been murdered, with one being killed by her ex-partner who had previously been released on bail. Violence against women has been on the news recently and I have three things to say about it. It’s disgusting, pathetic and absolutely appalling. I find it absolutely disgracefu ..read more

Myawlamyine, Myanmar – Thingyan, the New Year festival of Myanmar, has recently drawn to a close, leaving behind the fragrance of Padauk flowers and memories of celebrations. The mid-April festival lasted four days, and people made the most of it by celebrating in ways of their own.  Sticky rice balls topped with coconut, called Mont Lone Yay Paw, are a beloved seasonal dessert enjoyed during Thingyan. (Yunn Chaw Nadi/YJI) My grandmother went on a meditation retreat at a local monastery, as she does every Thingyan; my cousins took part in the famous water fights on the streets; my uncle s ..read more

Auburn, Maine, U.S.A. – Young writers, photographers and artists from 14 countries earned prizes for their work through Youth Journalism International’s 2024 Excellence in Journalism contest. An 18-year-old high school senior from Athens, Georgia won top honors as Student Journalist of the Year. “Journalism is very important for making change and connecting communities,” said Isabella Westrich, who plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall. Westrich, a senior at Clarke Central High School, listened along with youth around the globe who tuned in to the contest’s online awards ceremo ..read more

EGYPT – While the ancient Egyptians are renowned for their work in medicine and mathematics, their culture still echoes in the smelliest ways! On the 6th of May, Egyptians gather to celebrate Easter. Though it’s mainly a Christian holiday, it was also observed by the ancient Egyptians in celebration of spring. A basket of Easter eggs. (Ahmed Elkhamisy/YJI) Everyone of all faiths across the country crowds the streets carrying bags of salty, smelly rotten fish, also called fesikh. And without fail, the younger population of Egyptians stay locked in their rooms. Fesikh is a dry, salted fish that ..read more

Matamoros, MEXICO – Cinco de Mayo is a known holiday in Mexico and America that dates to the 19th century. Yet, as time progressed, the holiday went from being the anniversary of a significant battle in Mexico to one Americans celebrated for Mexican heritage and capitalization of another foreign holiday. This has caused misconceptions regarding the holiday, which we’ll debunk here. First off, Cinco de Mayo, also known as “La Batalla de Puebla,” is not the day Mexico gained its Independence. Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. The story behind Cinco de Mayo dates to France ..read more

Dresden, GERMANY – To notice one of the largest Holocaust memorials in the world, it is necessary to look down. Stolpersteine, or Stumbling Stones, are small, square memorial plaques made of brass that are set into the pavement in front of the last place of residence chosen by victims of the Nazi regime. Set into the walkways of Dresden, these stones are considered the largest decentralised memorial in the world. The idea of the Stolpersteine came from the artist Gunter Demnig, who sees the stones as a way of remembering and reviving the memory of the victims. He cited a quote from the Talmud ..read more