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Kurds a pawn in Russia’s larger geopolitical aims
Russia has long treated relations with Kurds as a bargaining chip as it pursues broader objectives. Today in Syria, things are no different.
Women should not live in fear. The violence must stop.
What do we say about women who have their lives cut short because of violence? Why should we live in fear of what could happen to us as women?
How Jackie Robinson changed the face of baseball
Through his extraordinary talent, perseverance and dignity, baseball great Jackie Robinson helped open major league baseball to black men.
With climate doom looming, let’s reset economic goals
Economic growth is the holy grail for most politicians. But it can boost carbon emissions and exacerbate the climate crisis. Time to adjust our goals?
Fundraising campaign update: We need your support!
Our goal for this year’s fundraising campaign is to raise $25,000. We’re not there yet, and we need your help to achieve our goals.
Decoder: Who are the Kurds?
The Kurds are the world’s largest nation without a state. Yet, when thrust onto the world agenda, questions over the group’s identity invariably arise.
Ethiopia’s Nobel winner Abiy has spurred deep change
He has signed a peace deal and delivered sweeping changes to Africa and the Gulf. Ethiopian leader Abiy Ahmed has now won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Student Ambassadors: Leading by example
They are energetic, creative, alert and driven. They love to lead. They are News-Decoder’s Student Ambassadors for 2019-20.
Media literacy: Watch out. Shorthand labels can be a trap
Are the Houthis in Yemen “Iran-backed” or “Iran-aligned”? Are Hezbollah members “terrorists” or “liberators”? Labels can make a big difference.
Hong Kong protests: Broad support but futile demands?
The call by Hong Kong protesters for full democracy is the one least likely to be met. One-party state China most emphatically does not do democracy.
Prizes honor efforts to fight fake news, gun violence
Two global prizes supported by News Decoder recognize projects in the UK and U.S. that fight fake news and gun violence.
Help News-Decoder move continents closer
News-Decoder is launching a fund-raising campaign to reach more young people around the world. Here’s how you can help move continents closer.
Flags & songs: How Hong Kong protestors use symbols
What does it mean when protestors appropriate your symbols to further their national ends? How does it make you feel?
Nationalism rears its head in Afghanistan and Kashmir
When the Cold War ended, many thought international relations had entered a new era. Now, resurgent nationalism is fanning old animosities.
Watch: Comparing Paris’s metro to NYC’s subway
Are the frustrations and joys of New York’s subway unique to my home city? A summer criss-crossing Paris in its metro answered my question.
Decoder: Confused about Puerto Rico? You’re not alone
The people of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens but have no vote in Congress. The island is a U.S. territory, but many Americans know nothing about it.
Ukraine: Could a prisoner swap promote peace?
Ukraine and Russia have swapped prisoners, to the chagrin of investigators exploring the downing of a passenger jet. But will the swap promote peace?
Creating global citizens to defend democracy
Young people today are outraged by injustice and inequality. Education must help them become global citizens who defend democratic ideals.
Can Trump step through the opening to Iran?
Foreign policy hawk John Bolton is no longer in the White House. Can Donald Trump, with one eye on 2020 elections, now cut a deal with Iran?
Riding the rails to a smaller carbon footprint
Ashamed of flying because it worsens your carbon footprint? You’re not alone if you want to ride the rails — as I recently did when my life took a turn.
Hard Brexit conjures nightmares across Ireland
If the UK leaves the EU, will authorities resurrect a border between Ireland and the province of Northern Ireland — ending two decades of peace?
Canadian newspapers, schools can learn from Hong Kong
Canadian newspapers and schools do little to foster interest in journalism among youth. Hong Kong has taken a radically different approach.
Wanted in Shanghai: A marriage partner
Away from the hustle, an ancient rite unfolds in a Shanghai park. Parents looking to hitch offspring post want ads in a marriage mart.
Peace is a distant dream in war-torn Yemen
The world’s worst humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Yemen, where outside powers stoke a civil war. Peace remains a distant dream.
Google speech policy requires difficult trade-offs
A new speech policy looks set to rein in Google’s intellectually freewheeling culture. It points to difficult trade-offs today’s organizations must make.
Saving the Amazon: sanctions, less meat, intervention?
The Amazon — the “lungs” of our planet — is burning. What to do? Punish Brazil with sanctions? Eat less meat? Or send in forces?
I discovered a slice of Paris through Chinese immigrants
Chinese immigrants form a growing community in France. Two manicurists gave me insight into challenges facing workers in Paris’s beauty industry.
Climate change: Let a thousand flowers bloom
The climate crisis is everywhere, but so are initiatives to cope with it and counter it. Here are just a few of my favorites.
Climate change gets more personal and political
Record heat around the world. Wild fires in the Arctic. Greenland’s ice rapidly melting. Climate change is upon us. The situation is dire — but we can act.
Watch: On Cantonese opera, ca trù and cultural identity
A trip to Hong Kong taught me why Cantonese opera and ca trù singing, which I once thought boring, are so important to cultural identity.
Let’s keep meddling politicians away from central banks
Power-hungry politicians are piling pressure on central banks to do their bidding. But short-term meddling only erodes long-term stability.
Spain is in political limbo — and that worries the EU
Nearly four months after its election, Spain has still not formed a government, causing frustration at home and concern in the EU.
In Afghanistan, drivers take to cars to express themselves
In Afghanistan, people love to express themselves on their cars. The messages range from the personal to political to philosophical.
Pace Academy of U.S. joins News-Decoder’s ranks
A 10th U.S. school, Pace Academy, is joining News-Decoder, bringing a distinctive cross-disciplinary approach to our international network.
We need to keep disarmament treaties, not scrap them
In a world with nuclear weapons, every agreement counts. So the decision by the U.S. and Russia to scrap a disarmament treaty does matter.
On the front lines: Barry Moody recalls sleepless nights
Barry Moody worked for more than four decades covering some of the world’s biggest stories. It was variously tragic, exhausting and exhilarating.
Refugees flee in record numbers around the world
The world’s refugee population is growing. But the countries where migration is most contentious is not where most refugees are settling.
U.S. podcast spotlights News-Decoder and partner
Two non-profits are joining forces for youth around the world. A podcast highlights News-Decoder and the International Congress of Youth Voices.
Central banks need to fight climate change!
Should central banks actively fight climate change? A UK non-profit disagrees with News-Decoder correspondents and says “absolutely!”
Can Boris Johnson unite the UK as it exits Europe?
The UK will leave Europe no matter what, says new British PM Boris Johnson. But his hard-line Brexit stance is exposing cracks within the UK itself.
On the front lines: Sue Landau helps youth fix the climate
Susan Landau has worked as a financial journalist for top international publications. Now, she helps young people understand climate change.
In Hong Kong, I glimpsed my twin, tug-of-war cultures
Raised in Canada of Asian descent, I struggled as a youth to reconcile my two cultures. On a trip to Hong Kong, I saw my own duality in a traditional dance.
On the front lines: Betty Wong is a storyteller at heart
From school paper to the Wall Street Journal, Betty Wong covered major stories including the 1990s stock boom and the Great Recession.
Biafra lost a war but gained a musical heritage
Secessionist Biafra lost a war that divided Nigeria. But songs aimed at motivating troops in a lost cause have given the Igbo group a lasting heritage.
Filipino journalists risk life and freedom to expose truth
Filipino journalists Fermando Sepe Jr. and Maria Ressa have exposed government corruption and abuse — and persist despite threats to their safety.
Hong Kong: Will the Chinese army intervene?
As protests against Hong Kong authorities become more violent, worries that China’s army might intervene are mounting.
Kenya tackles youth unemployment with education shift
Soaring youth unemployment has forced Kenya to reform its education system. Now, it’s focused on providing technical training. Will it work?
Listen: Hong Kong’s disappearing fishing villages
Hong Kong’s fishing villages are a microcosm of broad, cultural changes sweeping the Chinese territory and former British colony.
Should central banks do more for climate change?
Central banks have clout. Why not fight climate change by steering private banks away from fossil fuels? News-Decoder writers tackle the question.
Wet markets opened my eyes to Hong Kong’s culture
Wet markets are an integral part of Hong Kong’s culture and communities. But will they survive as China’s economy modernizes?