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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Culture

A collage of five pictures of differently prepared dates.

Break your fast with these 5 stuffed date recipes this Ramadan

From peanut butter to mascarpone, bring the tradition of breaking fast with elevated dates to your dorm room kitchen.
Taylor Grace Heller, Contributing Writer March 14, 2024

As Ramadan begins, many fasting students may be missing home a little more than usual. The family iftars, or evening meals, meetings at the local mosques and home cooking feel...

Chicken pieces garnished with sweet peppers and lemons.

Fossetta provides a moment to sneak away for carb-loaded solace

Fossetta in the Lower East Side is the perfect hideaway to enjoy focaccia and wine by candlelight, read alone at the bar or catch up with out-of-towners.
Bella Simonte, Contributing Writer March 14, 2024

At first glance, Fossetta looks like a mechanics garage with slightly better lighting and sanitation. The black rimmed floor-to-ceiling windows make it seem like the outside world...

An illustration of a woman with red hair, a cream sweater and a green skirt poses happily in her thrifted clothes.

From jewelry to jackets: The ultimate guide to online thrifting

There’s plenty of places online to shop for vintage staples, but every site has its own niche. Here’s how to get the most of each.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer March 13, 2024

In New York City, there is no shortage of thrift stores for the fashionable NYU student. But, the rise in online shopping in recent years has, in many ways, turned thrifting digital....

A hand holding a phone with the app “Notion” open. An illustration of a calendar and notes is coming out of the phone.

5 app-solutely essential apps for NYU students

It has never been easier to make the most out of New York City life with these helpful apps.
Amanda Wang, Contributing Writer March 12, 2024

Attending college in New York City is fun, but it can be difficult to manage university life while living in a big city. Between juggling Brightspace deadlines and chasing down...

An illustration of a pair of hands holding prayer beads on a black background.

Breaking fasts, building faith: The beauty of community during Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan has always held a special place in my heart. Now that I am away from home and family, my friends at NYU have helped me maintain a sense of community.
Noor Maahin, Staff Writer March 11, 2024

My earliest memories of Ramadan are vivid, enveloping my mind in warmth and nostalgia. I can smell my mother’s cooking, I can hear the laughter around the dinner table, I can...

A woman leans on the front counter of a restaurant. She is wearing a yellow shirt and green pants.

The hero of the East Village community is a mac and cheese restaurant

Sarita’s Mac and Cheese has big flavors and an even bigger heart.
Lauren Ng, Contributing Writer March 8, 2024

When engineers Sarita and Caesar Ekya left New Hampshire for New York City in 2005, they would never have imagined opening their own restaurant — one that specializes in mac...

Five musicians sitting and holding a goblet drum, two jahlas, a mirwas and a tabla.

Songs of the sea: How an NYU professor’s ensemble musically maps cultural exchange

Explore the musical exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and the Swahili coast with Boom.Diwan, a band started by NYU alum and professor Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi.
Leila Anderson, Contributing Writer March 7, 2024

Buzzing drums, rhythmic clapping and melodic singing — this is the yearslong story of trading between the Persian Gulf and Africa’s Swahili coast. This music embraces traditional...

Six water bottles lined up against a white background.

Ranked: Water bottles

We have to drink water to survive, so why not make it fun?
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer March 5, 2024

A water bottle is more than just a vessel for drinking water — it’s a statement. People decorate their bottles with stickers and make them reflections of who they are. If you’ve...

An illustration of a pan with deep fried battered vegetables, a dish with red sauce, a dish with green sauce and a pan with yogurt-covered dough balls.

Recipes for Ramadan: Dahi bara and vegetable pakora your mother would love

Ramadan away from home may seem tough, but these easy-to-make dahi bara and vegetable pakora recipes will make it less rough.
Maryam Babar, Contributing Writer March 5, 2024

We all have a favorite time of year we look forward to, whether it be a special holiday, a birthday, an anniversary — you name it. My favorite time of the year is Ramadan, the...

A crowd of people dance on a dance floor with their hands up. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling, and the room is basked in pink-ish purple light.

From prom to Pier 60: Violet Ball brings nostalgia to the dance floor

The Violet Ball, NYU’s annual dance event, gave the class of 2024 a long-awaited celebration as they prepare for graduation.
Manasa Gudavalli, Editor-in-Chief March 5, 2024

A customer walks into a white storefront with glass windows that say “Do Not Feed Alligators.” Red chairs are placed outside the storefront.

Tired of your go-to coffee shop? Try one of these unique cafes instead

Whether you’re looking to play video games or pet cats, there’s an experience for everyone to enjoy with their coffee.
Chinara Dorancy, Contributing Writer March 1, 2024

We all have a favorite cafe. But after a while, getting your go-to almond milk latte and studying in the corner of your local coffee shop can get repetitive. Thankfully, at these...

A hand holds a phone with the “Discover” menu from the app “Too Good to Go.”

What’s so good about Too Good To Go?

If you want to spend $5 on dinner and also help the planet, look no further.
Logan O’Connor, Contributing Writer March 1, 2024

One thing almost every NYU student has in common is spending too much money on takeout. It’s midterms season, and there’s barely enough time to finish that essay during an...