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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

Barrow Street Garden at St. Luke’s in the Fields is dressed in greenery and plant life. As Earth Day approaches, New York City can provide for those searching for nature and a seasonal spring atmosphere, despite being labeled as the "Concrete Jungle." (Staff Photo by Sabrina Choudhary)

Finding ways to connect with nature while living in a concrete jungle

As Earth Day approaches, a Vermont native reflects on how Manhattan’s surprising natural beauty has kept her going through the pandemic.
Sabrina Choudhary, Deputy Culture Editor April 21, 2021

On a rainy day, stepping into the Barrow Street Garden at St. Luke’s Church feels like stepping into another world. Cardinals and sparrows flit through the trees, their squawks...

Ramadan is a Muslim holy month of prayer, fasting, as well as good food and community. NYU students share their favorite food memories of Ramadan and their plans to celebrate the holiday this year. (Photos by Asma Bawla, Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

NYU students embrace traditional foods during Ramadan

NYU students on and off campus share their favorite food-related memories of Ramadan and how they plan to celebrate the holiday in light of COVID-19.
Gabby Lozano, Dining Editor April 16, 2021

Last Monday marked the beginning of the Muslim holiday Ramadan. Prior to my conversations with my interviewees, I thought it was a holy month filled with prayer and fasting. I’m...

Imad Khachan presents a chess piece to the camera. Khachan owns Chess Forum in Greenwich Village on Thompson. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Chess Forum is home to Greenwich Village’s chess-playing community

Owner Imad Khachan shares what chess meant to him growing up in Lebanon, how Chess Forum became a Greenwich Village icon and what the pandemic and “The Queen’s Gambit” mean for contemporary chess culture.
Ana Cubas, Music Editor April 16, 2021

Imad Khachan, the owner of Greenwich Village’s Chess Forum, wants all visitors to feel at home. He joked that the tiny wood-saturated shop has the feel and smell of a grandparent’s...

A picture of Sunrise NYU members protesting for policing abolition. Sunrise NYU is a chapter of the nationwide Sunrise Movement, a youth-led organization dedicated to fighting climate change, promoting social justice and campaigning for the implementation of the Green New Deal. (Photo Courtesy of Sunrise NYU)

Meet Sunrise NYU: A youth driven movement fighting for a greener planet

Youth-led activist organization Sunrise NYU is on a mission to create a more sustainable and environmentally just community for NYU students and New York City at large.
Natalie Melendez, Staff Writer April 15, 2021

If you’ve ever come across a group of students making protest signs in Washington Square Park or hanging environmental and social justice flyers around campus, then you’ve...

404 Fitness serves as the popular gym for NYU students. With gyms still closed, students have become more creative with exercise routines during COVID-19. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

The student experience with exercise during COVID-19

Since NYU gyms are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, students are getting creative with their exercise routines to maintain their physical fitness and mental health.
Sabiq Shahidullah, Staff Writer April 14, 2021

When most gyms were closed, and people were stuck at home, the sedentary lifestyle had never been more prevalent. Since the start of the pandemic, 42% of American adults experienced...

Kent's Dumpling House, located on 220 E 14th St, serves Chinese comfort food. This location underwent renovations in 2019 and re-opened under its new name with new management. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

If you’re looking for comfort, come to Kent’s

Kent’s Dumpling House is a small business serving Chinese comfort food in a homespun atmosphere.
Felicity Huang, Staff Writer April 13, 2021

In the search for bubble tea on a sunny fall day, my friends and I stumbled into the first location for boba we saw on Google Maps — Kent’s Dumpling House. The sizzling sound...

Harmonyc Movement poses in Times Square  for the thumbnail of their cover of HyunA’s I’m Not Cool. K-pop dance groups have managed to find ways to continue to develop their community and create content during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

How K-pop groups create community during COVID-19

K-pop dancers have found creative ways to continue to foster community and produce amazing content throughout the pandemic.
Destine Manson, Contributing Writer April 12, 2021

Whether it’s in an impromptu dance class in the space between your bed frame and your dresser or a filmed video with some friends in Washington Square Park, the K-pop movement...

Leigh Altshuler opened Sweet Pickle Books, located on 47 Orchard St, in November of 2020. This Lower East Side small business is a used bookstore that also sells jars of pickles. (Staff Photo by Sabrina Choudhary)

How Sweet Pickle Books keeps the Lower East Side’s legacy alive

Selling “used books, new pickles,” Leigh Altshuler’s one-woman shop pays homage to the history of the Lower East Side.
Sabrina Choudhary, Deputy Culture Editor April 12, 2021

Sweet Pickle Books, located at 47 Orchard St., is a place where you can buy secondhand copies of psychology texts, celebrity biographies and classics like “Little Women.” It’s...

WSN interviewed 886 restaurant co-owner Andy Chuang. Like many restaurants, 886 suffered a blow from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the restaurant stepped up to support the community. (Staff Photo by Gabby Lozano)

Give back to 886: a Taiwanese restaurant that empowered the NYC community during COVID-19

NYU alum and 886 co-owner Andy Chuang speaks about the restaurant's decision to support other local restaurants and feed hospital workers during the height of the pandemic.
Gabby Lozano, Dining Editor April 9, 2021

Taiwanese restaurant 886 is taking the New York restaurant scene by storm with its incredible service, food and devotion to its community. The St. Marks restaurant puts a New York...

The Bowery Mission is located at 227 Bowery St. This is one of the city’s largest homeless shelters and food pantries. (Staff Photo by Paul Kim)

How service organizations help New Yorkers in need during the pandemic

Now more than ever, many New Yorkers are struggling to find meals and shelter. Here’s how some service organizations are doing their part to help.
Sabiq Shahidullah, Staff Writer April 8, 2021

Over 1.5 million New Yorkers are currently struggling to find meals, a 38% increase from pre-pandemic times. Food pantries play a vital role in feeding these vulnerable people. The...

Too Good To Go, an app, allows users to buy restaurants' leftover food at a discounted price in an effort to reduce food waste. Users are able to take action against food waste, while also having access to affordable meals. (Staff Photo by George Papazov)

Saving the planet and your wallet

The app, Too Good To Go, allows users to join the fight against food waste by purchasing restaurants’ leftover food at a discounted price.
Natalie Melendez, Staff Writer April 7, 2021

With the enormous portion sizes at today’s restaurants, there’s a good chance you’ll have leftovers at the end of the meal. The best thing to do is to take them home to microwave...

Tamam Falafel, located near Union Square, is a fast-casual Middle Eastern vegan eatery. They offer plant-based options such as hummus bowls and falafel sandwiches. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Tamam Falafel offers new options for vegan students

A new Middle Eastern spot expands options for vegan students by offering a variety of hummus bowls and falafel sandwiches.
Natalie Melendez, Staff Writer April 7, 2021

I was making my way down 14th Street towards Union Square in late January when I stumbled upon a brand new sign where the 5 Napkin Burger Express shop once was.  The sign was...