by Yawen Xu | 13 May 2024 | China, Culture, History
“China chic” has millions celebrating China’s glorious past. The number of people traveling to historic sites and tourist attractions is skyrocketing. A woman, Zhu Zhu, wears hairpin flowers on a visit to Quanzhou, China 2 April 2024. Photo provided...
by Paul Spencer Sochaczewski | 10 May 2024 | Asia, Culture, Educators' Catalog, Environment, Religion
What’s a more powerful conservation incentive — a government jail or the wrath of a nature spirit? A shady path in a sacred forest in Myanmar. (Credit: Paul Spencer Sochaczewski) This article was produced exclusively for News Decoder’s global news service. It is...
What’s a more powerful conservation incentive — a government jail or the wrath of a nature spirit? There are many ways to preserve wildlife. Correspondent Paul Spencer Sochaczewski ventures into Myanmar’s sacred forests to unearth the secret of conservation.
Exercise: Start a discussion on ways governments and communities can protect local flora, fauna and areas of natural interest. Read the article and discuss the suggested questions. Students should then undertake research to identify other examples of local folklore and community spiritual and religious beliefs affecting environmental conservation positively. Hint: Look to countries with a strong history of folklore and explore stories with links to the natural environment.
by Sabine Berzina | 9 May 2024 | Europe, History, Politics, Russia, Ukraine
It’s been 34 years since the Soviet Union controlled Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. But the Ukraine conflict has people thinking: Are we ready for war? Two photos show Jelgava, Latvia. On the left is Jelgava before World War Two (Credit: The Archive of Jelgava...
by Bernd Debusmann | 8 May 2024 | Decoder Replay, History, Israel-Palestine, Middle East, Politics
The world’s court can issue arrest warrants against government leaders. But would a country like Israel submit to its authority? The International Criminal Court, or ICC, is seen in The Hague, Netherlands in 7 November 2019 (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) Editor’s...
by John West | 7 May 2024 | China, Decoders, History, Politics
Both China and Taiwan are important players on the international stage. But the status quo that has Taiwan enjoying autonomy from China might not last. The crowd cheers at a Democratic Progressive Party rally in Taipei, Taiwan, 13 January 2024. The ruling DPP party...
by Helen Womack | 3 May 2024 | History, Human Rights, Journalism, Russia
In Russia, international press credentials don’t keep journalists out of prison. But how to stop Vladimir Putin from using arrests to spur prisoner swaps? Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, left, stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the First...
by Rafiullah Nikzad | 1 May 2024 | Afghanistan, Asia, Decoder Replay, Human Rights, Journalism
May 3 will mark World Press Freedom Day, reminding us that despite the important work journalists do, in many places it is difficult for them to do that job. Afghan cameramen cover a protest against U.S. President Joe Biden in Kabul, Afghanistan, 15 February 2022. (AP...
by Daniel Warner | 30 Apr 2024 | Decoders, History, Human Rights, Israel-Palestine, Middle East, Politics
To understand the anger and fear in Israel and Palestine, you have to go back to Israel’s foundation and the lines drawn in the sand. A Palestinian protester argues with Israeli security forces to prevent shooting tear gas at Palestinian protesters during a...
by Martin Langfield | 25 Apr 2024 | Decoders, Human Rights, Politics, United States
Millions of migrants cross the U.S.-Mexican border. North of the border, some fear them. But the economy depends on migrants and it is they who face real dangers. A man carries a child as they are taken into custody by officials at the Texas-Mexico border in Eagle...
by News Decoder | 24 Apr 2024 | Decoder Replay, Economy, Government, United States
An announcement from the Federal Reserve of the United States can send investors around the world into a frenzy. We went to our experts to find out why. The gold vault of the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States. (Photo courtesy the Federal Reserve Bank)...