Newsfeed
Listen: Is social media a friend or foe?
Social media has revolutionized how we work and communicate, but questions about privacy continue to perplex government and industry leaders.
Listen: How will robots transform society?
Can we trust robots? Innovative technologies will radically change the skills of tomorrow. The challenge lies in keeping humans up to date.
News-Decoder launches annual fund-raising drive
News-Decoder’s work with young people around the world depends on the generosity of our backers. Your support will help make better global citizens.
Listen: Want to be an entrepreneur?
Want to be an entrepreneur? Starting with a simple hair balm, Simi has launched a business with a full line of natural beauty products.
Macron’s call for “European army” highlights rift in NATO
Should Europe build its own army? Or spend more to support the transatlantic alliance? A rift has opened up between Europe and the United States.
Listen: Where have all the corals gone?
In this episode of “The Kids Are Alright” podcast, we learn how global warming is threatening crucial links in our ecosystem — sharks and coral reefs.
Fight for change, Parkland shooting survivors tell webinar
Two survivors of a mass shooting at a U.S. high school in Parkland, Florida urge youth to work for change, saying journalism can make a difference.
“The Kids Are Alright” — News-Decoder’s 1st podcast
News-Decoder launches its first podcast next week. Listen to young people offering a fresh perspective on major international issues.
Shooting survivors, UK paper receive youth news award
Survivors of a shooting at a U.S. school and The Guardian paper have received an award from News Decoder for coverage of a gun-control protest.
Instant news of scandal challenges deliberate Catholic Church
Sex abuse by priests has turned into a scandal for the Catholic Church. Modern communication is putting pressure on the church to take action.
Female preachers at the heart of jihad and counter-jihad
In conflict, violence is not the only strategy. Both jihad movements and some Islamic governments are using female preachers to win hearts and minds.
California plans “own damn satellite” to fight warming
California plans to launch a satellite, barely bigger than two shoe boxes, to pinpoint greenhouse emissions as part of its fight against global warming.
Saudi Arabia and America’s embrace of dictatorships
The killing of Jamal Khashoggi adds to Saudi Arabia’s grim human rights record. But don’t expect America to sacrifice arms deals.
Shareholder activists seek to spur change in society
Shareholder activists are not new. But increasingly these stockholders are focused on addressing social issues, from climate change to gun violence.
Images of Myanmar: Wild, conflicted, dreamy
I went to Myanmar on a whim, and it was the best decision I could ever have made.
The virtual chestnut tree and information overload
We gossip today as people gossiped centuries ago. But the volume and speed of information overwhelm us — the downside of the digital revolution.
Khashoggi case shows dangers of lawless world
Human rights or realpolitik? The presumed murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi creates dilemmas for the U.S., Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Europe.
Imran Khan confronted by realities of power in Pakistan
Cricket-star-turned-prime-minister Imran Khan says he wants to lift up the poor in Pakistan. But his renegade political drive faces economic headwinds.
Ethically-minded millennials set to transform finance
Millennials — numerous and poised to inherit massive wealth — are reshaping global finance with a focus on ethical investment.
U.S. elections: Signing up students in the heartland
Key U.S. elections take place next month. This week university students scrambled to boost participation of young voters, which is historically low.
Our Student Ambassadors: Curious and Influential
They are curious and cast a critical eye on the world. They are News-Decoder’s Student Ambassadors, leading our work in 10 countries on five continents.
Why Canada’s dispute with Saudi Arabia matters
A diplomatic spat between Saudi Arabia and Canada may seem childish. But the dispute has important implications for the West — including the United States.
A richer, wary Europe strengthens common defence
Wary of Russia and Donald Trump, Europe is spending more on defence and cooperating more closely. But the effects of collaboration will take time.
My hectic week rushing to cover world leaders in New York
New York goes into lock-down every year for the UN General Assembly, which attracts world leaders — and sends photographers like me scrambling.
Democracy under fire. You can make a difference.
Democracy is in retreat around the world. How bad is the “democratic recession?” And what can you do to get democracy back on track?
China’s millennials: They will impact all of us
There are more millennials in China than the entire population of the U.S. and Canada. Whatever your interest, these young Chinese will impact you.
Not the Aung San Suu Kyi I used to know
I used to talk to Aung San Suu Kyi when she was fighting repression in Myanmar. Now she won’t condemn the mass killings of Rohingya. Why not?
War crimes, impunity and the International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court was meant to help rid the world of war crimes. But impunity still reigns. And the U.S. now wants the ICC to die.
Mass Venezuelan exodus stirs crisis with neighbors
Venezuela’s economic crisis has sent millions of refugees into surrounding countries, stirring regional tensions and fanning populist anger.
Facebook, Twitter combat disinformation, belatedly
Facebook and Twitter were caught napping when Russian agents tried to sway the U.S. 2016 elections. Now, they are declaring war on disinformation.
A new website ushers in new era at News-Decoder
News-Decoder takes a big step forward with a new website design that will better showcase the work of our correspondents and our students around the world.
Kisar Jews, could they hasten the Second Coming?
An evangelical Christian whisks four men from a remote Indonesian island to Israel, part of a life-long effort to gather the world’s “lost” Jews.
Steve Bannon’s roots: Esoteric fascism and Aryanism
Former White House adviser Steve Bannon has had a major influence on Donald Trump nationalists elsewhere. Here are his intellectual roots.
Can China — the world’s factory — sustain its growth?
China’s rise is one of the striking developments of our age. Global well-being hinges in part on the answer to this question: Can China sustain growth?
Welcome to America, home of weird conspiracy theories
The U.S. is not the only country where conspiracy theories abound. But it’s alone in having a president on friendly terms with a conspiracy theorist.
Hate crimes surge as Italy cracks down on immigrants
Hate crimes have surged in Italy as a new governing coalition takes a hard line on immigrants, capitalizing on citizens’ fears of foreigners.
‘Thin man’ and elderly cleric en route to lead Indonesia
Religious extremism is rising in Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population. No wonder the president has chosen a cleric as running mate.
Climate change: Fiddling while the planet burns
Those of us suffering through heat waves in the Northern Hemisphere this summer may suspect climate change is here already. But it’s not all doom and gloom.
Corruption, cheating, doping. But sport enchants us still.
For three decades, I’ve reported on bribery, corruption, cheating and doping in internatinal sport. Why, then, do I still love sport so much?
War on drugs: Will Sri Lanka execute dealers?
Following the Philippines’ play book, Sri Lanka has re-instated the death penalty for drug dealers, shrugging off criticism from rights groups and the EU.
News Decoder adds schools in Latin America, China
Two more schools have joined News-Decoder, extending our reach into a fifth continent and linking us with one of China’s top academic institutions.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan – from cricket hero to top job
Pakistan’s Imran Khan was a cricket star with glamorous women on his arm. Now he is poised to become prime minister of the South Asian nation.
In Hong Kong, a sense of powerlessness is taking hold
It’s been four years since young activists in Hong Kong launched a movement for democratic reforms. Now, a sense of powerlessness is growing.
Paterson, New Jersey: Portrait of a Promised City
Paterson city and its powerful waterfall drew my immigrant family from the Middle East. The cataract may hold the key to the New Jersey city’s future.
In Moscow, an education in all things Putin
Recently I went to Russia. I discovered that Russians view their president, Vladimir Putin, in a much different light than many of us from the West.
The Sultana’s Education – Part 5
The Crown Princess becomes the first female ruler of the Yogyakarta Sultanate. A mysterious woman enters her entourage, and a man slips and dies.
The Sultana’s Education – Part 4
Over tea, the elegant Madam Lara expounds on Lover Nature. Suddenly, a cigarette pack ignites in a man’s hand and a fishing boat explodes.
The Sultana’s Education – Part 3
Will the Crown Princess of Yogyakarta receive the sacred support of the Queen of the Southern Ocean? Or will the Queen withhold it, ending the dynasty?
The Sultana’s Education – Part 2
The crown princess is in a pickle. Few citizens of Yogyakarta want her as heir apparent. Meanwhile, mystery surrounds a luxury hotel with an exotic owner.
The Sultana’s Education – Part 1
A powerful sultan on the Indonesian island of Java snubs tradition and taps his daughter as heir to the throne. Mysterious deaths ensue. What is going on?