Issues news

According to media reports, chlamydia is being diagnosed at more than double the rate of young men.
Apparently young people are finding it hard to get a medical screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections because they feel embarrassed about the issue.
Everyone has to wake up and be educated about STIs because without education the stigma will continue to surround it and infections will keep spreading!
Nearly 12,500 cases of chlamydia were reported last year alone and around 1000 people were diagnosed in May this year while June accounted for 868 cases.
The moral of the story is always practice safe sex and wear a condom even if you are on the pill.

Obama wins! The candidates are real, the votes are real, the ruling is final... but the reporters are holograms? CNN has beat all other news broadcasters by far in the US Election coverage race by using holograms to "beam" in their reporters and even Will.I.Am, an Obama supporter. Check it out! Very Star Wars.

I'm so Happy. That's all. Oh, and check out these amazing images from polls around the country.

I'm a fairly political person and, in particular, am extremely passionate about voting. I think having the right to vote and not stepping up is one of the shittiest things you can do. how strongly do I feel this way? Well, there's an election on in NZ this weekend and I'm flying back to help my Dad drive people to the polling booths. I've also been known to break up with guys over this - apathy and ignorance are not traits I want in a boyfriend. Anyway, it's another election that's currently got us all in it's grip and by early accounts this has been one of the largest turn outs in US voting history. People's willingness to line up for hours could be down to a yearning for change but  it could also have something to do with the freebies being thrown at those excercising their civic duty! Yup, vote in America today and you can enjoy a free coffee from starbucks, a star-shaped Krisp kreme donut or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. If you seek, err, "pleasures" outside of food than you'll be pleased to hear that a chain of US sex shops are offering free vibrators (as pictured) to those bearing an "I voted" sticker!!! Oh and a tattoo removalist in Texas is giving away a free first treatment to customers who walk in today looking to get rid of body art . As they are pitching; "You can get change in the White House and change in your skin.â€�

Check out the latest YWYA TV ad currently running on TEN & MTV - featuring 'Aww Yeah' - the latest single by our favourite Aussie band The Grates, fronted by YWYA ambassador (and 2006 Music Category winner) Patience Hodgson. We're going great guns in the 2008 YWYAs and are almost midway through the voting phase.  If you haven't done so get in there and vote!  Not only will you have input into determing this years winners - but you'll also go in the running for some great prizes including a Toyota Yaris.

Want to know why young girls are overstimulated, oversold and oversexed? If you ask me it’s Bratz Dolls and the sweat shop prices at Supre, but according to Maggie Hamilton, author of What’s Happening to Our Girls? pre-teens today have a completely different lifestyle to what they did, even five years ago. The book focuses on understanding the pressures facing young girls and what we can do to help them to realise their options are endless.

Hear Maggie speak about her book at the Writers Tent at the Newtown Festival, November 9. Event info here.

World AIDS Day is December 1st and Youth Empowerment Against HIV/AIDS is inviting young people of Melbourne to paint the town red at their annual Red Party. The $10 ticket will get you entry to Eurotrash as well as a warm fuzzy feeling inside because all profits go to educating Gen Y about AIDS. There’ll be DJ’s, Burlesque acts and drink specials from 8-10pm. Friday November 28 @ Eurotrash, Corr’s Lane Melbourne.
For Sydneysiders who want to do something for the cause, join the Walk for AIDS through the Botanic Gardens, at the Domain from 11am, 23rd November.