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Here’s how to make sense of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine begs questions that most young people have never asked. Here’s how to make sense of the conflict at the heart of Europe.
Hungary elections are a referendum on “illiberal democracy”
As leader of Hungary, Viktor Orbán has thumbed his nose at EU values. Elections in April will test whether Hungarians want his “illiberal democracy.”
With war in Ukraine, editors help kids cope with scary news
Editors around the world explain how they’re helping kids to understand and cope with the news as Russia invades Ukraine.
With Russian forces in Ukraine, our survival may be at stake
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens the global order that has spared us world war. In an era of nuclear weapons, our very survival could be at risk.
Why we all need to care about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
We asked News Decoder correspondents why young people should care about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Here’s what they said.
Faculty Spotlight: Maria del Rosario of Gimnasio Los Caobos
Growing numbers of students and faculty are using News Decoder at a school in Colombia thanks to a resourceful teacher, Maria del Rosario Silva.
Algeria war legacy still dogs France
It’s been 60 years since Algeria won freedom. The nation’s former ruler, France, is still struggling with its colonial legacy, national identity and values.
Helping LGBTQIA+ immigrants endure adversity in the U.S.
Transgender and queer immigrants can face hardship in detention and when settling in the U.S. Here’s a group that helps LGBTQIA+ migrants.
How China’s athletes gave Los Angeles a helping hand
Fewer than four decades ago, an emerging China joined its first Olympic Games. Like today, geopolitics loomed large at the Los Angeles event.
Decoder: Why Russia and Ukraine are so tightly linked
Neighbors Russia and Ukraine share a common history that looms over Europe’s deepest security crisis in decades.
Decoder: If tech giants are too big, how can we curb them?
Many experts think tech giants have grown too powerful. But they disagree over how best to regulate emerging technology without stifling innovation.
Ukraine poses most serious East-West confrontation in years
Reminiscent of tensions during the Cold War, the Ukraine crisis represents the most serious East-West confrontation since the end of the Soviet Union.
Macron stands out in French election as defender of Europe
French voters may have their minds on other matters ahead of April’s election, but President Emmanuel Macron stands firmly for a strong Europe.
A couch once united us. Now our family tableau has faded.
Our family used to gather in joy around my grandfather’s couch. He and his sofa are now gone, and I wonder if home will ever be the same.
No choice but to toil for Syrian refugee children in Lebanon
Lebanon is suffering one of the worst crises the world has seen in 150 years. The children in one Syrian refugee family have little choice but to work.
New faces add firepower, fresh perspectives to News Decoder
Three graduate students in Paris have joined News Decoder, bolstering staff and adding new perspectives to the nonprofit’s governance.
Decoder Spotlight: Li Keira Yin of The Thacher School
A Chinese citizen studying in the U.S., Li Keira Yin wins this month’s Student in the Spotlight award for her contributions to News Decoder’s community.
City dwellers: Respect those like me from the countryside.
People living in cities can have trouble valuing peasants from the countryside. But not all that is nice is made in cities! We depend on each other.
Decoder: Are companies becoming better social citizens?
Companies are paying greater heed to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters — their social credit score. Does it make a difference?
Who is this person in the mirror? Can she be me?
The person in the mirror is not familiar to me at all. I’m tired and empty, and she is pretty and happy. Where can I find the real ‘me’?
I pursued food and have discovered a way of life
Where I grew up, the kitchen was a “no-go” area for males. But my love of food has helped teach me how to live a successful life as an African man.
An American dream? Or nightmare?
A year after supporters of ex-U.S. President Donald Trump attacked the Capitol Building, a young poet reflects on the American dream — or nightmare.
Decoder: Why do countries impose sanctions?
Sanctions have been a foreign policy tool since ancient Greece. Nations are increasingly using to sanctions, even if they fail more than they succeed.
Decoder: Why “woke” means different things to different people
The term “woke” is caught up in America’s divisive culture wars. Will citizens in other nations adopt the notion describing those alert to social injustice?
Ganesha and Santa Claus: Separated at birth? You decide.
A shared taste for sweets, unique fashions and world travel are similarities between the Hindu god Ganesha and Santa Claus, the rotund holiday figure.
To resist in China: Touch a fish, be in your Buddha nature
Social media memes are at the forefront of the latest form of passive resistance against China’s grinding work culture.
Despite health warnings, skin-lightening products persist
Millions of women try to lighten their skin although governments warn of health risks. Can anti-Black racism in the cosmetics industry be stopped?
New space telescope will let us look back millions of years
A powerful new space telescope to be launched this month will look back more than 100 million years ago to when the first stars and galaxies formed.
African Leadership Academy students share top contest prize
In a first, two students from Sierra Leone enrolled at the African Leadership Academy have won the top prize in News Decoder’s Storytelling Contest.
A Cardinal Sin: How Our Actions Affect Biodiversity
Students at my U.S. school played what they thought was a harmless prank. They found out that actions have consequences and biodiversity is fragile.
When my father left.
My father was the light in my life — until he left. A setback, for sure, but my mother and I persevered. Now I know courage bows to no obstacle.
Decoder: Crypto currencies, good or bad, are here to stay
They can fluctuate wildly in value. They can be hard to spend. They devour energy. But crypto currencies are here to stay and will surely bring changes.
Languages in Tibet under threat — and traditions at risk too
Tibet’s many languages are under threat from Beijing’s policies and economic realities, putting cultural traditions and memories at risk.
I saw Uighurs sharing music & laughing — amid much pain
Curious about my family’s roots, I visited a remote region of China where minority Uighurs celebrated and laughed despite repression and a pandemic.
Humans halted ozone depletion. Now let’s end global warming.
Humans were once on track to destroy Earth’s ozone shield. Collective action averted disaster. Global warming demands the same global cooperation.
With indecisive COP26, climate crisis is at a turning point
The COP26 climate summit offered scant relief to developing nations. If political will for a grand bargain is lacking, can solutions emerge to save Earth?
We saw ice caps, icebergs and climate change in Greenland
On a trip to Greenland, we camped on an ice cap, saw towering icebergs and witnessed the effects of climate change on the world’s biggest island.
Africa is embracing technology, innovation, entrepreneurship
Shunning the traditional tool of aid, investors are focusing on innovative technology and entrepreneurship to ensure healthier development in Africa.
Under assault, democracy will survive – News Decoder webinar
In a public webinar, a leading UK youth advocate and students from News Decoder’s network discussed challenges to democracy around the world.
How I fled danger in Afghanistan for refuge in Ukraine
My pregnant wife and I were lucky to escape Afghanistan after it fell to the Taliban. We have swapped danger for refuge and bewilderment in Ukraine.
Listen: Youth vent frustration and anger over climate change
Four students express frustration, anger and disappointment over climate change and urge world leaders to listen to youth before it’s too late.
Ancient forest holds new horrors for refugees to Europe
Thousands of refugees are in limbo in a forest straddling Poland and Belarus, caught in a humanitarian vice that is raising tensions in Europe.
Fast fashion? No thanks. I care about our planet Earth.
Clothing, especially from fast fashion, is a major contributor to global warming and pollution. Mountains of discarded garments end up in West Africa.
Do not fear hardships. Get challenged and change.
“Working hard should matter. Do not be afraid of hardships.” A Rwandan reflects on being challenged and on change.
Why do we collect? Harmless pastime or dangerous obsession?
Almost all of us collect objects of some sort. Psychoanalysts think they are part of our identity. But when does a pastime become an obsession?
I am 21 and small matter. Beyond me, love is all there was.
We are made of molecules, stardust and comets — small matter. I am 21, and I just want to love and be loved — because love is all there is.
Watch: ‘I want to change the lives of young people.’
Kamuskay Kamara grew up in the streets of Sierra Leone’s capital. He saw young people in the clutches of drugs and now is saving their lives.
COP26: Climate action has fallen short. But there’s hope.
Nations have not lived up to commitments made in Paris six years ago. But there has been progress in combating climate change. Let’s not lose hope.
COP26: Climate change is already wreaking havoc in Africa
Africa has contributed very little to global warming. But the continent is the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change — and already suffering.
COP26: No voting at UN climate meeting, where consensus rules
Like many international negotiations, UN climate talks eschew voting and require consensus of all nations for an accord — a curious form of democracy.