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

A portrait of Anna Baird-Hassell.

Anna Baird-Hassell, Copy Chief

Anna Baird-Hassell is a junior studying Sociology with a minor in Irish Studies. She is an at-home barista fond of hugs, meditation, speaking her limited Irish Gaelic and reviewing films on Letterboxd @abairdhassell. You can also find her on Instagram @annabairdhassell or email her at [email protected].

All content by Anna Baird-Hassell
Illustration of a blonde woman on a black and white album cover clutching her head with both hands.

Photo: Review: Taylor Swift is back, better and sooner than ever

April 24, 2024

“The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology” is the extended version of Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, released on April 19, 2024 at 2 a.m. (Anna Baird-Hassell for WSN)

An illustration of an albums black-and-white cover depicts a woman crossing her arms and lying down on a bed, with the words THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT above her.

Photo: Review: ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ is a humanizing and chaotic chronicle of heartbreak

Julia Diorio, Music Editor April 22, 2024

The Tortured Poets Department is Taylor Swift's 11th studio album, released on April 19, 2024. (Anna-Baird Hassell for WSN)

An illustration of a pair of legs wearing light blue jeans and teal shoes with white stripes standing on a wooden box with the “W.S.N.” logo on it. In the background are trees and various colorful buildings.

The Soapbox: Olympic concerns in France, Indigenous festival in Australia, soccer federation scandal in Spain

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Anna Baird-Hassell, Copy Chief April 19, 2024

In France, Olympic Games face safety concerns French president Emmanuel Macron warned on Monday that the opening ceremony for this summer’s Olympic Games may be relocated from...

In the background is the Letterboxd website window, which shows three films in the “Popular Films This Week” category: “Dune: Part Two” “La La Land,” and “Spirited Away.” To the lower right, there is a phone screen showing the overview for the film “The First Omen.”

Inside the Boxd: ‘Monkey Man,’ ‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and more

Inside the Boxd is a column documenting WSN staffers’ recent film reviews on Letterboxd. Grab some popcorn and get that watchlist ready!

With roughly 10 million site-wide users in 2023, including the likes of NYU alumni Martin Scorsese and Ayo Edebiri, Letterboxd has become the premier social media platform for...

Illustration of a vinyl record in its sleeve, the album cover is a woman with tattoos in underwear sitting submerged in a body of water.

Photo: Review: Lizzy McAlpine’s ‘Older’ is an ode to coming-of-age stories

April 15, 2024

American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine released her third studio album, “Older,” on April 5, 2024. (Anna Baird-Hassell for WSN)

Front of the bar The Happiest Hour which has a green facade and gold lettering.

Photo: Betting on burgers: A new take on the American classic from The Happiest Hour

Aidan Levin, Contributing Writer April 12, 2024

The Happiest Hour is a bar and restaurant at 121 W. 10th St. (Anna Baird-Hassell for WSN)

A collage of four movie posters. The upper left is a headshot of a man with his head down and the word MAESTRO above. The upper right is two men and a dog with the words “THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN” above them. The bottom left is a man with a sword next to him under the words “VALHALLA RISING.” The bottom right is two women collaged above a road with palm trees along the sides with the words “MULHOLLAND DRIVE.”

Inside the Boxd: ‘Maestro,’ ‘The Banshees of Inisherin,’ ‘Valhalla Rising’ and ‘Mulholland Drive’

Inside the Boxd is a weekly column documenting WSN staffers’ recent film reviews on Letterboxd. Grab some popcorn and get that watchlist ready!

With roughly 10 million site-wide users in 2023, including the likes of NYU alumni Martin Scorsese and Ayo Edebiri, Letterboxd has become the premier social media platform for...

An illustration of a pair of legs wearing light blue jeans and teal shoes with white stripes standing on a wooden box with the “W.S.N.” logo on it. In the background are trees and various colorful buildings.

The Soapbox: Spy investigation in the UK, climate goal delays in Australia, Tibetan protests in China

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Anna Baird-Hassell, Copy Chief March 15, 2024

In the United Kingdom, police close British spy investigation A seven-year-long investigation into a British army spy known as “Stakeknife,” who was suspected of being involved...

Collage of four books: on the top left is “HEREAFTER: THE TELLING LIFE OF ELLEN O’HARA” in red and brown font on a burgundy background, with VONA GROARKE written in the bottom corner in red font. On the top right there’s a pink book on a light blue background, titled “THE EDIBLE WOMAN BY MARGARET ATWOOD” in white font. Bottom left there is a book cover titled “THEY’RE GOING TO LOVE YOU” in green font, with BY MEG HOWERY in pink font below. Bottom right is a white book cover on a red background titled “THE COURSE OF LOVE BY ALAIN DE BOTTON” in black and blue cursive.

Books beyond Bobst: Heartbreaking tales of family, an untraditional romance and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“They’re Going to Love You” by Meg Howrey — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor The night I began reading “They’re going to Love You” by Meg Howrey, I knew...

An illustration of a pair of legs wearing light blue jeans and teal shoes with white stripes standing on a wooden box with the “W.S.N.” logo on it. In the background are trees and various colorful buildings.

The Soapbox: New finance minister in Ghana, EV subsidy cuts in France, prime minister acquittal in the Czech Republic

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Anna Baird-Hassell, Copy Chief February 16, 2024

In Ghana, president appoints new prime minister Nana Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana, replaced his finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta amid ongoing economic tensions. Mohammed...

An illustration of a pair of legs wearing light blue jeans and teal shoes with white stripes standing on a wooden box with the “W.S.N.” logo on it. In the background are trees and various colorful buildings.

The Soapbox: COP28 in the UAE, Chinese visit to Vietnam, AI legislation in the EU

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Anna Baird-Hassell, Copy Chief December 15, 2023

In the UAE, milestone agreement introduced at climate conference  Members of the United Nations agreed to reduce fossil fuel use worldwide on Wednesday, a move many climate activists...

An illustration of a pair of legs wearing light blue jeans and teal shoes with white stripes stands on a wooden box with the “W.S.N.” logo on it. In the background are trees and various colorful buildings.

The Soapbox: Presidential primary in Ghana, climate protest in London, diplomacy between Australia and China

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Anna Baird-Hassell, Copy Chief November 10, 2023

In Ghana, vice president wins presidential nomination The New Patriotic Party of Ghana nominated current Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as its presidential candidate on Saturday....

A woman with blond hair and a black shirt which reads “L.O.M.L W.Y.A. R.N. ?” stands on a stage with a microphone under green lights. In front of her below is a crowd of people holding up cell phones.

Review: Reneé Rapp’s ‘Snow Hard Feelings’ Tour

With one special guest, two openers and three pairs of pants, Rapp returned to New York to perform with her own sound.
Natalie Thomas, Anna Baird-Hassell and Emily Genova November 2, 2023

From Broadway to Max to touring her debut album, “Snow Angel,” actress and singer Reneé Rapp has had a successful past five years. She originally rose to fame with her performance...