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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.
Decoder: Can we fix nature’s crisis and protect Earth?
Without a push to protect nature, Earth faces the worst extinction crisis since dinosaurs were wiped out. A summit next year offers a dwindling chance.
Can a school punish a student for online speech off campus?
A U.S. school district wants the Supreme Court to overturn a landmark free speech case and let it punish a student for criticizing her school online.
Listen: Youth! You can drive political change!
Two savvy Africans urge frustrated youth activists to drive political change by holding officials to their word and harnessing innovative ideas and words.
The West is failing democracy — and the world is watching
There were huge hopes for democracy at the end of the Cold War. But the West has squandered its leadership, leaving the world rudderless.
Decoder: Why a young person should not ignore the stock market
On any day, the stock market can go up or down. But in the long run, a young person cannot afford to ignore the chance to invest in company shares.
Chatbot in Rwanda answers young people’s questions about sex
A Canadian tech firm and foundation have teamed up with an NGO in Rwanda to offer a chatbot that answers young people’s questions about sex.
Decoder: How does the U.S. Electoral College work?
A candidate can win the U.S. presidency without winning the most votes. Americans don’t like the Electoral College, but it seems here to stay.
Voters put populists under pressure in the U.S. and UK
Donald Trump and Boris Johnson won power as populists, backed by angry voters. Now COVID-19 is exposing their shortcomings in the U.S. and UK.
Here’s how Nigeria can improve its sickly healthcare system
Oil-rich Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy but spends little on healthcare, with dire consequences for its teeming population. Its census could help.
COVID-19 and 1918 flu pandemic share much in common
Both the 1918 flu pandemic and COVID-19 struck during crucial U.S. elections, infecting the nation’s leaders. But in 1918, a world war was raging.
Being stateless means being condemned to the margins
Millions of people around the world are stateless, with no rights and condemned to living in the shadows, on the margins of society.
Palm oil: Consumers love it, but it costs the environment
It makes potato chips crispier, soap frothier, lipstick smoother and fried foods crunchier. Consumers love palm oil — but at a cost to our environment.
Listen: Why are so many Black Americans dying from COVID-19?
Black Americans are dying at a higher rate from COVID-19 than whites. “The Kids Are Alright” podcast looks at the disparities in mortality.
Girls invited to global seminar on democracy
How is democracy faring around the world? What effect is it having on girls? News Decoder is teaming up with Miss Porter’s School in a global seminar.
Monkeys in Indonesia reveal COVID-19’s risks to environment
COVID-19 has slashed incomes in Indonesia, spurring illegal logging, poaching and mining. The environment and wildlife habitats are taking a hit.
We will reduce inequality if firms offer workers company shares
The rich and the poor are growing farther apart. If workers own shares in the firms where they are employed, we can reduce inequality, economists say.
Decoder: Why China and the U.S. are on a collision course
They are the world’s two most powerful economies, deeply interlocked. But China and the U.S. are increasingly at odds — with vast implications.