Nepal witnesses deadly communal violence

17-year-old Lola Kadas profiles the Nazi doctor responsible for choosing who lived and who died on their arrival at the death camp

Auschwitz’s ‘angel of death’: Who was Josef Mengele?

Nazi SS physician Josef Mengele was the key decision-maker at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp, deciding who would be selected for forced labour and who would be sent to their deaths.

16-year-old Maria Fiala examines why the term matters and why it remains contested

Genocide, explained: What does it mean and who decides

The word genocide is often used in discussions about modern conflicts, including Ukraine, Gaza and South Sudan. Politicians, journalists and legal experts often debate whether atrocities committed during these conflicts constitute genocide.

17-year-old Max Yau explains the Srebrenica genocide in 1995 and why it still matters today

Srebrenica: How a UN ‘safe area’ became the site of genocide

In July 1995, more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) men and boys were systematically killed by Bosnian Serb forces in and around Srebrenica, a town in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, in what international courts later recognised as genocide.

Editor’s pick

inequality & justice

Trouble in paradise? The past, present and future of Balinese tourism

Bali – the Hindu enclave within Muslim-majority Indonesia, often nicknamed the ‘Island of the Gods’ – is a world-class travel destination known for its well-preserved ancient culture, volcanic landscapes and sun-kissed beaches. It has long been a crowded hub for surfers, digital nomads and travellers seeking spiritual wellness, often to the dismay of its local inhabitants.

17-year-old Matthew Ng interviews Discova Indonesia’s Ari Sintya Dewi on Bali’s tourism problems and potential solutions

international affairs

From coup to isolation: The making of modern Iran

Iran’s modern history changed dramatically with the 1953 coup backed by the CIA, the US government’s foreign intelligence agency. This was a turning point that set the country on a path from Western-backed monarchy to Islamic Republic and, eventually, international isolation over its nuclear programme.

18-year-old Ruqaiyya Jhandawala explains the history of modern Iran, from US ally to isolation, sanctions and war

society

How are Gen Z dealing with everything?

Six in ten Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2010) report feeling overwhelmed and lacking in adequate mental health support, according to a 2025 study by the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health, an initiative between UNICEF and private sector partners.

18-year-old Siya Shah reflects on the latest findings on the state of Gen Z’s mental health

Why are we so obsessed with an era we never lived through?

How I became progressive in a conservative school

I want to be a young mother. Why is that so hard to understand?

Film & Book Club

film & book club

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

In a quiet neighbourhood of Seoul, two families live entirely different lives. One resides in a luxurious hilltop mansion surrounded by sunlight and space. The other struggles in a cramped semi-basement apartment where the window reveals little more than street-level feet passing by.

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

film & book club

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

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

Rating:

film & book club

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.

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

Breakthrough young icons at the 2026 US Open

In the US, September brings a return to school, the smell of pumpkin spice and a cool autumn breeze – and the US Open, one of tennis’s four major annual tournaments.
Held at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York, this year it took place between 23 August and 13 September. It’s played on outdoor hard courts, featuring singles, doubles, mixed doubles and wheelchair draws.

17-year-old Jennifer Yung-Coak tells us who are the new faces in tennis we should keep an eye on

Nepal faced an apocalyptic disaster in the form of sludge, rubble, mud and deluge on 26 August. The flood damaged thousands of houses and displaced tens of thousands of people, with more than 30,000 children’s education being impacted directly.

Nepal’s PM voices climate justice and cooperation at UN

16-year-old Samuna from the Nepali Newsroom summarises PM Balen Shah’s speech at the UN General Assembly

On the morning of Wednesday 26 August, a glacial collapse occurred near the Nepal-China border. This sudden collapse triggered violent flash floods that ripped through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river valleys in the northern part of Nepal. The disaster has taken more than 1,450 lives and 5,600 people are still missing.

Nepal’s deadliest disaster in years: Thousands killed in flooding

Samuna, 16, Binita, 16, Rakshya, 14, and Laxman, 13, from the Nepali Newsroom explain how the catastrophic flooding has affected their country

afghanistan newsroom

The cost of belief: Religious pressure in Afghanistan

Earlier this year, the Taliban imposed a compulsory pledge for university students to sign. The pledge contains 14 articles. These include rules on dress codes and attending classes on time, but many are extreme and limit personal freedom; for example, they forbid listening to music or taking photographs.

16-year-old Sara from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains how the Taliban are forcing change on the country’s religious minorities

Inequality between women and men is written into the very bedrock of modern civilisation. Pioneers such as Dr Radha Paudel devote their lives to digging down and laying this bedrock bare, which is covered by layers of concrete and clay. Paudel argues that is menstrual discrimination – an issue that is rarely mentioned – that is found at these depths.

The fight for menstrual dignity in Nepal

16-year-old Irma Mecele interviews Nepalese activist Dr Radha Paudel on the importance of menstrual rights

Featured author

Lola KadasEditor-in-Chief 2026 Budapest, Hungary

Lola Kadas joined Harbingers’ Magazine in the summer of 2024 as a contributor during the Oxford pop-up newsroom. After completing the newsroom and the writing course, she became a staff writer later that autumn, covering society and public affairs.

Her strong writing and dedication to the magazine led to her appointment as Society Section Editor in 2025. During this time, she also reported from Bali, Indonesia, where she worked on a special project exploring the local mental health landscape and produced a series of thought-provoking articles.

Following a successful year in that role, and in recognition of her steady development and commitment, Lola stepped into the role of Editor-in-Chief in 2026, sharing the position with Arnav Maheshwari.

This will mark the first time the magazine is led by joint Editors-in-Chief, reflecting the growing scope and ambition of the publication. In her new role, she also took part in the Special Newsroom 2026, traveling across five European cities to explore the history of genocide through expert-led learning, field visits and on-the-ground journalism.

Born in 2009, Lola has lived in Budapest, Hungary, California, United States, and Warsaw, Poland. She is interested in pop culture, history, politics and music. She speaks English, Hungarian, French, and Spanish.

In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts and photography, and visiting interesting historical sights (like Karl Marx grave in London).

sri lankan newsroom

Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings perpetrators convicted

On 22 September, 15 of the 24 people accused of being involved in the terrorist bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday 2019 were found guilty and sentenced to hundreds of years in prison. It was the first conviction of any perpetrators directly involved in the attacks.

Hesandi Ravisinghe explains the recent verdict against those convicted of orchestrating the Easter Sunday 2019 bombings in Sri Lanka

sri lankan newsroom

The daily struggle of northern Sri Lankan fishermen against Indian bottom trawlers

Bottom trawling has been illegal in Sri Lanka since 2017, but every day hundreds of Indian trawlers enter northern Sri Lankan waters, depleting resources and putting the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen at risk.

17 -year-old Lisindi Liyanage from the Sri Lankan Newsroom explores how bottom trawling has affected Sri Lanka’s fishing industry

Growing up in a Jewish day school, religious education wasn’t unusual – it was very much expected. We learned Torah stories while playing with the same building blocks that every pre-schooler plays with. We celebrated Jewish holidays as naturally as we celebrated summer vacation. My parents chose that education for me, just as every other family there had chosen it for their children.

Bible study as a mandatory subject? No thanks

17-year-old Ava Miltenberg explains why the move by the Texas Board of Education is unconstitutional

health & wellness

The hidden spread of dangerous bacteria in Filipino communities

Whether it be the dry or wet season, palamig or cold beverages sold by street vendors are always a staple in the streets of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Despite being a popular way to combat the heat and humidity year-round, these drinks aren’t always compliant with food safety standards.

18-year-old Ryleigh Lemsic explains how to combat the spread of treatment-resistant pathogens in the Philippines

women's desk

From stigma to dignity: How Taboo is advancing menstrual justice

Even though menstrual products are essential healthcare items, millions of girls and women around the world struggle to afford them. Not having period products can force them to miss school or work, harming their health and freedom.

17-year-old Viola Papp interviews young Australian entrepreneur Eloise Hall on creating a social justice-driven business

economics

Luxury resort reopens argument about economic growth

In February, I spent time at the Mountain Children Home in Dadagaun, a small settlement in the hills outside Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city. A short walk away, in the foothills of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, a five-star resort was opening its doors.

18-year-old Haris Debar explores the relationship between foreign investment and welfare spending in Nepal

Nepal’s new government, which was formed following the historic election on 5 March, issued its first official apology to the Dalit community that same month. The historic gesture recognises the long history of discrimination that Dalits have endured, and aims to make amends for past wrongs, promote equality and foster a better understanding of the urgent need to eradicate caste-based discrimination.

Why Nepal is apologising to the Dalit community

16-year-old Samuna B.K. from the Nepali Newsroom explains the government's actions against caste-based discrimination

culture

Christmas in July: Australian reimagines winter traditions

The middle of winter brings an unexpected celebration in Australia: Christmas in July. The tradition emerged as a way to experience the cold-weather Christmas that many people associate with the festive season, something that is impossible in December during Australia’s sweltering summer.

17-year-old Anastasia Kulikova describes Christmas-style celebrations during wintertime in the southern hemisphere

So, this is it. I am moving out of my mom’s apartment and going to another city to study at university. The moment that I’ve been dreaming of ever since I became a teenager is finally happening. I’ll be able to eat whatever I want, go to sleep whenever I want, and leave the apartment at any time. No panic!

I am moving out to go to university! Now what?

18-year-old Sofiia Didenko shares the excitement of starting a new chapter in her life

afghanistan newsroom

New decree harms women’s divorce rights and normalises child marriage, say critics

For many Afghanistani women, leaving an abusive marriage is not simply a personal decision – it can involve legal, financial and social challenges. Proving abuse (be it physical, psychological, emotional or financial), meeting legal requirements, and dealing with family pressure may make divorce difficult for many women.

19-year-old Maryam from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the implications of the Taliban’s new decree

As part of Harbingers’ Magazine’s Special Newsroom 2026, I visited the lakeside villa in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee where, in January 1942, senior Nazi officials gathered for the Wannsee Conference, a meeting that became a crucial moment in the bureaucratic organisation of the Holocaust.

90 minutes at Wannsee: Inside the bureaucracy of the Holocaust

15-year-old Gabriel Saphier visits the site of the Wannsee Conference and explores its role in the Holocaust

politics

France’s social media ban for under-15s stalls, as other countries join in

France’s attempt to ban social media for under-15s has been blocked by the country’s Constitutional Council, which recently ruled that the legislation placed disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression.

17-year-old Ava Miltenberg examines France’s decision as countries in Europe and Southeast Asia tighten social media regulations for teenagers

human rights

Corporal punishment in Tanzania: Is it discipline or abuse?

These are the words of Tatu Ibrahim, a 16-year-old student from Mtae, a village in the district of Lushoto, Tanzania, who believes that corporal punishment has gone too far.

17-year-old Lidya Gasper interviews children in Tanzania to hear about their experiences of corporal punishment and its harms

I’ve never been particularly good at putting my phone down before bed. Usually, I use it right up until the moment I decide to go to sleep. I’ll check my messages, reply to a few people, maybe look at something quickly. In fact, I tend to end up spending much longer on my phone than I thought I would.

I stopped using my phone two hours before bed. This is what happened

17-year-old Sofia Vorobei reduced her phone use to see if it improved her sleep

women's desk

Beyond the gender gap: What Egyptian women say about independence

I travelled from Poland to Cairo with a question: how much do gender and social expectations shape women’s economic opportunities and independence?

17-year-old Jasmin El Abrashy explores what independence means for women in Egypt

international affairs

Why has the US–Iran conflict not ended?

The fighting has slowed and flared, ceasefires have been signed and broken, and negotiations have repeatedly come close to producing something more durable. Yet six months after the US and Israel first attacked Iran, lasting peace in the Gulf still looks more like a mirage than a destination.

17-year-old Arnav Maheshwari examines the rival interests standing in the way of lasting peace in the Gulf

climate crisis

Spain shook by forest fires, prepares prevention measures

A series of devastating forest fires have swept through Spain this summer, destroying thousands of hectares and affecting thousands of people, many of whom have lost homes and businesses or been evacuated.

18-year-old Sofiia Didenko reports on the recent wildfires in Spain and what the government is doing

politics

US Supreme Court ruling is reshaping rights of minority voters

Lawmakers, judges and election officials are debating voter ID requirements, mail-in voting rules, congressional district maps and the role of state governments in overseeing elections.

17-year-old Ava Miltenberg explains the implications of recent changes to the Voting Rights Act

Beijing is a city of contradiction and continuity. Beneath its glassy skyline are countless years of cultural sedimentation. When I visited my home city after a gap of eight years, my eyes were caught by what had remained of the past.

Finding myself in Beijing: The story of hutongs

18-year-old Jennie Yao explores how Beijing is preserving its historic neighbourhoods

women's desk

Nourane Helmy: An Egyptian woman navigating diplomacy, family and independence

Dr Helmy, deputy head of mission at the Egyptian embassy in Warsaw, has spent her posting balancing a demanding diplomatic career with motherhood and academic ambitions. Looking back, she explains why she believes young women should strive to be independent, not only financially, but in all areas.

17-year-old Jasmin El Abrashy learns life lessons from a leading Egyptian diplomat in Warsaw

society

What lies behind the abrupt rise in student violence in the Philippines?

On 22 June, students of San Jose National High School in Tacloban City walked into school expecting a day like any other. Little did they know that a tragedy was about to unfold that would come to haunt the entirety of the Philippines.

18-year-old Ryleigh Lemsic examines the sudden increase in school violence and the possible causes

science

Asha de Vos: Sri Lanka’s first deep-sea explorer

Born in 1979, Dr de Vos moved to Scotland for her undergraduate studies in marine and environmental biology at the University of St Andrews. She later earned her master’s degree in integrative biosciences at the University of Oxford and a PhD from the University of Western Australia.

17-year old-Hesandi Ravisinghe kicks off a new Harbingers’ series on Women in STEM with a Sri Lankan trailblazer in marine biology

afghanistan newsroom

What compulsory hijab in Afghanistan means in reality

Compulsory hijab has become an important part of public life in Afghanistan. Recently, a new rule requiring girls who are taller than 150 centimetres to wear hijab – to cover their hair completely as soon as they are enter a public space – has brought renewed attention to the issue.

15-year-old Elaha from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the new rule’s impact on girls’ and women’s everyday lives