Newsfeed
Decoder: Navigating the coronavirus headlines
Coronavirus headlines are taking readers on a roller coaster of fear, hope and confusion. Here are tips for telling what’s true and what’s not.
Is Big Sugar trying to get you addicted to soda?
What’s more harmful to your health — sugar or fat? Is it most important to exercise? The answers can depend on who’s paying for “scientific” research.
Are you a Decoder? Take our quiz.
Have you been reading our decoders on the world’s biggest issues? Test your knowledge with our Decoder quiz and get in the running for some swag!
News-Decoder launches course on media literacy
The new course tackles issues inherent to our digital age: How to be media literate and cope with a tsunami of information, much of it misleading.
Can a divided Spain offer Europe a helping hand?
A deeply polarised Spain finally has a new government. Can Madrid punch above its weight and shore up a wobbly European Union?
Decoder: Rising sea levels risk redrawing world’s maps
Sea levels are rising quickly due to global warming. If the trend continues — or accelerates — entire coastlines will be threatened.
Decoder: Superbugs, the world’s little-known silent killer
It’s called one of the gravest medical threats to humankind. Imagine if a common infection meant certain death. Superbugs are terrifying.
Listen: Free speech against media censorship
Censorship in China allows the government to control the media narratives. How can democracies protect free speech and sort fact from fiction online?
Decoder: What is vaping and is it safe?
Vaping has exploded in popularity with young people. But the case against e-cigarettes — for smokers and non-smokers — is mounting.
Decoder: How killer drones became key U.S. weapons
The U.S. used a drone, controlled from an Air Force base thousands of kilometers away, to kill Iran’s top general. Are drones reshaping war?
Democracy: Can we rescue it from disrespect?
Britain’s election could mean a return to normal politics after rancour over Brexit. But the jury is out in the U.S. Can decency in democracy be saved?
Insulin access a challenge for governments, diabetics
Nearly half of type 1 diabetics lack access to insulin, especially in developing countries. Non-profits are trying to help, but there are no easy solutions.
United States kicks Iran hornet’s nest
Iran has signaled a desire to avoid full-out war with the United States. But the conflict between the two nations remains, and Tehran has other options.
Youth in Sudan helped topple a ruthless dictator
Among pro-democracy protesters around the world in 2019, youth and women in Sudan led a movement that ousted a ruthless, 30-year dictatorship.
Youth are not active enough, putting their health at risk
Most youth around the world get less than an hour of physical activity a day. Better programs and measurements are needed.
A boy’s struggle to find his way in Indonesia
Getting ahead in Indonesia is a struggle. Crooked middlemen and indifferent bureaucrats loom large. Those toiling the soil are pawns to distant landowners.
Our most popular stories in 2019? Read on.
We published more stories in 2019 and were read in nearly 200 countries and territories. Readers flocked to articles about Africa, written by students.
Decoder: Why protests in Latin America matter
Protests across Latin America target common complaints, including poverty and corruption, and offer lessons for much of the rest of the world.
Nigeria state recruits local hunters to fight terrorism
A governor in Nigeria is recruiting 10,000 hunters to try to accomplish what the army has been unable to do: defeat Boko Haram militants.
Pugnacious pirates threaten West Africa
Only recently, pirates terrorised ships off of East Africa, crippling sea transport in the resource-rich zone. Now, the scourge has shifted to West Africa.
What my garden says about the American dream
My father used to tend our garden. Then he was taken from us — changing what I understood about America’s fundamental covenants.
U.S. blunders in Afghanistan recall Vietnam
The stark missteps recorded in the Afghanistan Papers recalled an historic about-face by an architect of the U.S. war in Vietnam.
Afghanistan & U.S.: Déjà vu all over again
The U.S. sends troops far from home on an ill-defined mission. Leaders lie. The conflict becomes a quagmire. That’s Afghanistan — or Vietnam redux.
Here are the winners of our storytelling contest
Claire Wang and Christine Fernando win first prize in News-Decoder’s Storytelling Contest with articles on French protests and U.S. immigration.
Decoder Spotlight: African Academy excels again
African Leadership Academy wins News-Decoder’s “Decoder in the Spotlight” award for its students’ exemplary contributions to our global community.
Depression stole me. So I fought back — with help
At age 15, I was no longer me. Learning about depression taught me about myself, my support group and growing efforts to fight mental illness.
Listen: Young voters critical but hesitant in South Africa
Young voters in South Africa aren’t as loyal to the ruling African National Congress as their elders. This could reshape the young democracy.
‘Brain waste’ exacts human and economic toll on U.S.
Immigrants can struggle to work as professionals in the U.S. But there’s no quick fix to “brain waste,” which can punish the economy and migrants.
U.S. EdTech firm Newsela partners with News Decoder
U.S. EdTech leader Newsela engages with millions of students and works with top global media brands. It’s News Decoder’s newest content partner.
Listen: Why Venezuela is now a global crisis
The crisis in Venezuela has exploded into a global, humanitarian emergency. Giavanna Bravo reports in this episode of “The Kids Are Alright.”
Decoder: Why do diplomats matter?
Nations defend themselves with armed forces. But the military alone cannot solve today’s crises. Diplomats and “soft power” are needed.
Is economic growth at odds with fighting climate change?
The quest for economic growth makes it hard to adopt changes to mitigate climate change. What if we were measuring progress the wrong way?
A cribsheet on COP 25 and how to fight climate change
A global climate conference faces a deepening crisis as nations renege on pledges made in Paris in 2015. Still, there are glimmers of hope at COP 25.
Media literacy: The Iran nuclear story as a case study
Iran’s nuclear programme has held much of the world in suspense for years. But what if the real story, largely overlooked by the media, is elsewhere?
O Earth, what have we done? What do we do now?
The world was once an unlit candle. Now, the earth is burning. The wax has disappeared. I’m shouting but Mother Earth is shouting louder.
Hong Kong votes for democracy. Will Beijing listen?
Pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong have won a big electoral victory after months of protests. Will Beijing listen — or crack down?
I learned yellow vest protesters in France are complex
I thought yellow vest protesters in France were a uniform group of angry radicals. But I talked to citizens and discovered it’s much more complicated.
Can climate change humour spur political engagement?
Climate change can be downright depressing. A growing number of experts think humour can motivate young people to fight global warming.
Russia faces blanket international sports ban
Russia mounted a cloak-and-dagger operation to hide doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Now it faces a possible ban from next summer’s Games.
Fast fashion and environmentalism: Clashing trends?
Gen Zers care about climate change, but we fuel the fast-fashion industry, a contributor to global warming. Are we ready to shift our fashion choices?
Listen: Is the meat industry sustainable?
Is the meat industry destroying Earth? Two committed vegetarians come to surprising conclusions in this episode of “The Kids Are Alright” podcast.
Can at-home testing reduce the spread of STDs?
Sexually transmitted diseases are at an all-time high in the U.S. Experts hope more at-home testing will help stop the spread of STDs.
News-Decoder featured in books on big issues for youth
In a vote of confidence for News-Decoder’s mission, a UK firm is featuring by our students and correspondents in books on big issues for youth.
Watch: African goddesses and a celebration of women
I wanted to dispel preconceived notions about women in Africa. Three goddesses capture the strength of African women and celebrate blackness.
Islamic State — a militant group wounded but unbowed
The head of the Islamic State has been killed. But the hardline militant group’s influence is growing in Africa, and talk of its demise could be premature.
Decoder Spotlight: Thacher students lead by example
They’ve done on-the-ground reporting to produce a podcast and video. Students Saga Leslie and Skye Neulight of Thacher School win our award.
Rwanda invests in model villages to tackle poverty
Rwanda is expanding a rural development program that is slashing poverty, but at the expense of free choice. Are the benefits worth it?
Decoder: Countries renew climate change fight
The next push to fight climate change comes soon in Spain, when more than 190 countries meet to tackle global warming. Here’s what to expect.
How dogs in Kenya are helping to save elephants
Poachers trading ivory are threatening Africa’s elephants with extinction. I shot a film showing how dogs are stemming the flow of illegal ivory in Kenya.
Reminiscing differently about the Berlin Wall
Ever wonder what journalists think when they cover a major event? Tom Heneghan was there when the Berlin Wall fell — a true turning point in history.