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Can Gen Z push world leaders to fight climate change?
COVID-19 vaccines have been developed in record time. Can that impetus and Gen Z help the world tackle the complex problem of climate change?
Can America’s dysfunctional politics recover its balance?
The U.S. Republican Party is badly split and America’s politics dysfunctional. Is there a way out of this mess?
Russians want change, even without embracing dissident Navalny
Russians are keen for change but are not necessarily pinning their hopes on dissident Alexei Navalny as an alternative to Vladimir Putin.
Microplastics in newborn babies — a hidden peril
They are far smaller than a human hair. But microplastics have been found in newborn babies and pose a growing threat to humans’ health.
Mass trial takes aim at Italy’s dominant mafia
Gutsy prosecutors crippled the Cosa Nostra decades ago. Now, a new trial aims to strike a blow against the ‘Ndrangheta, Italy’s dominant mafia.
India sets example with massive COVID-19 vaccination program
Sprawling and populous, India presents unique healthcare challenges. Its vast COVID-19 vaccination program offers an example to even rich nations.
Poor nations lag in COVID vaccination, posing global peril
COVID-19 vaccination programs are moving slowly in poor nations, threatening the world’s health and raising risks for rich countries’ economies.
In polarized times, we need to listen even to hateful views
Playing in a rock band helped me see that in these polarized times, we need to listen to hateful views to heal divisions and save democracy.
Trump’s “Big Lie” stirs a revolt and mars U.S. standing
Donald Trump’s “Big Lie” — that Joe Biden stole the U.S. presidential election — has stoked a domestic revolt and tarnished America’s global stature.
Will U.S., under Biden, seek ‘primacy’ against rival China?
A top secret White House document, surprisingly declassified, says the U.S. should seek “primacy” against rival China and promote ties with India.
Decoder Spotlight: Christina MacCorkle of The Thacher School
She has written two articles and is organizing a webinar on nationalism. Student Ambassador Christina MacCorkle is now Decoder in the Spotlight.
Biden stirs worries among U.S. allies in Middle East
Donald Trump knit close ties with Israel and Saudi Arabia. The new U.S. administration under Joe Biden is reassessing relations with the Middle East.
South Korea offers lessons for U.S. social movements
A pro-democracy movement in South Korea offers lessons to two U.S. social movements — against police brutality and for a defeated ex-president.
Russian dissident Navalny challenges Putin’s protracted rule
Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia with an iron fist for two decades. Now, dissident Alexei Navalny is testing the Kremlin leader’s enduring grip on power.
To save Earth, should killing nature be made a crime?
Threats to nature persist despite global efforts to save our planet. Is it time to get tough and make killing nature an international crime?
Biden, Harris will not permit white supremacy, students told
In a shift from the Trump administration, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will not tolerate white supremacy, two experts tell a News Decoder webinar.
Deepfakes and AI spur disinformation and threaten democracy
Fake news is already eroding our shared sense of reality. Now, deepfakes and AI stand to fuel disinformation and imperil democracy.
Indigenous communities in Canada more vulnerable to COVID-19
Overcrowding, a flow of migrants, lack of resources — so many reasons Indigenous communities in Canada and elsewhere are vulnerable to COVID-19.
Memoir offers insider look at presidents, a queen and a pope
News Decoder correspondent Gene Gibbons covered six U.S. presidents. His White House memoir offers portraits of presidents, a queen and a pope.
UK PM Johnson’s future clouded by COVID-19, Brexit fallout
Despite a Brexit deal with the EU, Boris Johnson’s popularity as UK leader has plunged as COVID-19 wreaks havoc, with his foibles on display.
Trump, COVID-19 ensure troubled U.S. handover to Biden
Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the U.S. presidential election and COVID-19 ensure an uneasy transfer of power to President-elect Joe Biden.
Our most popular stories in 2020 — a year of growth
Articles about COVID-19 and the United States attracted the most eyes in 2020 — a year of substantial growth in News Decoder’s worldwide traffic.
Honduran nonprofit’s trials reflect pandemic’s toll on NGOs
A Honduran nonprofit that builds schools and tackles poverty hopes to outlast the pandemic. Its financial hardship is shared by nonprofits globally.
COVID-19 and a year that changed how we see the future
For some, COVID-19 has meant grief, for others inconvenience. But the year has made us ask: Should we go back to “normal” when the future arrives?
Journalism from inside prison walls
Incarcerated people in a California prison run a newspaper that raises awareness of social justice issues and offers a new chance to those in prison.
International space station benefits those of us on Earth
It’s hundreds of miles above Earth. But the International Space Station is a scientific laboratory that is bringing myriad benefits to humans far below.
Malik Figaro: From Student Ambassador to News Decoder intern
A former Student Ambassador, Malik Figaro was News Decoder’s first intern from a partner school. Here are lessons he has drawn in his gap year.
Even NGOs can have political leanings. So, follow the money.
Journalists and NGOs often rely on each other to inform the world. But beware vested interests. It’s best to follow the money trail to see the full picture.
Africa stands tall in News Decoder’s Storytelling Contest
Stories about West Africa, by Africans, dominated News Decoder’s latest Storytelling Contest, which showcases original work by young authors.
Jury draws lessons from News Decoder’s Storytelling Contest
A three-person jury of professionals has judged entries in News Decoder’s 8th Storytelling Contest. The winners will be announced next week.
In Nigeria, police brutality stirs youth awakening
I joined protests against police brutality in my home country of Nigeria and saw them become almost a war, then a rude awakening for youth.
Church ‘prophets’ prey on Africans eager for better lives
Many Africans see religion as a path to prosperity. Self-professed prophets are soliciting church donations that bankroll their own lavish lifestyles.
Tunisia struggles to keep students from dropping out
My friend Zied was bright and destined for a great career. Instead, he quit school — like so many students in Tunisia who opt for dropping out.
COVID-19 filled me with fear — until I went home to China
COVID-19 left me in limbo in the United States, full of fear and anger. Then I returned home to China to face criticism before reuniting with my family.
Conflict in strategic Ethiopia rings global alarm bells
A military conflict has broken out in Ethiopia, raising fears of instability and a humanitarian crisis in the strategic Horn of Africa.
Decoder Spotlight: Westover School stands out — again
The all girls boarding school in the U.S. wins our monthly award for the second time for its creative engagement with News Decoder in an Ethics class.
Decoder: Why are election polls so often wrong?
Once again, polls forecasting the outcome of a U.S. election were way off target. Why are pollsters so often wrong? Can polls be made more accurate?
I went to school with Joe Biden. He’ll be a caring leader.
Joe Biden and I grew up in the same city. He was upright in school and on the playground. He’ll be a caring leader as U.S. president.
Trump, now Biden: Reflections from the U.S.-Mexico border
In 2016, students from a U.S. school near Mexico worried about Donald Trump. Today, one of the youths and their ex-teacher find hope in Joe Biden.
Will the world learn the right lessons from COVID-19?
Experts had foreseen a coronavirus pandemic, but COVID-19 has still inflicted untold damage on the world. Will we draw the right lessons this time?
Ten questions for young men who reject the “Man Box”
It can be hard for young men to step outside the “Man Box,” which pressures them to act a certain way. Here are questions to help step beyond.
Can we reshape our cities so they meet the needs of women?
Most cities are built and governed by men. Experts are taking into account the needs of women as they reshape our urban spaces.
What kind of global leader will Joe Biden be?
What makes a global leader? What traits does a leader need to succeed? Does U.S. President-elect Joe Biden have what it takes?
Police brutality sparks youth movement in Nigeria
Youth in Nigeria, angry over police brutality, have formed a movement that started with street protests and which some see as a potential political force.
What I learned from a refugee camp in West Africa
My family fled civil war in Liberia to a refugee camp in Guinea in West Africa. I learned the power of resilience and the value of diversity.
Ok, Biden wins. Now, America, address your divisions.
Joe Biden’s win over Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election is cause for celebration. But it’s also time for America to heal its deep divisions.
Despite COVID, fight against malaria in Africa saves lives
Worried that COVID-19 could hurt the fight against malaria, aid groups have redoubled efforts to save lives in Africa. The worst may have been avoided.
Decoder Spotlight: Lucy Jaffee scores free-speech interview
California student Lucy Jaffee interviewed renowned free-speech expert Floyd Abrams to write a forward-looking article on a landmark court case.
Youth in Ivory Coast seek peace amid political tumult
For years, Ivory Coast has been split politically and at times torn by outbursts of violence. Three youth are working for peace in the West African nation.
Listen: How is COVID-19 affecting youth climate activism?
In our latest podcast episode, two students at Thacher School in California examine how COVID-19 is affecting youth climate change activism.