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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?
In defense of safe spaces. And the right to be deaf
The world needs safe spaces to protect us against the oppression of the privileged. Think of Orwell’s “Animal Farm” — we have a right to be deaf!
News-Decoder podcast partnership to broadcast young voices
News-Decoder is partnering with a UK-based charity, Podium.me, to produce an eight-episode podcast on major international issues.
Ukraine: Two revolutions and a war later
Ukraine has had two revolutions and a war since 2004 but is still mired in conflict and graft.
What do we see when we see China?
How well do we know China? With the U.S. and China on the brink of a trade war, the answer to that question holds great importance for global well-being.
The homeless were not always so — and needn’t be
With homeless people strewn across cities, young Americans might think the problem is inevitable. But it was not always so — and need not be.
Not all Chinese students in the U.S. are rich and spoiled
Chinese students flaunting luxury cars and designer clothes fuel a stereotype that ignores the harsh reality for many compatriots on U.S. campuses.
Nicaragua: Déjà vu all over again
Watching news from Nicaragua, where protests are challenging the authoritarian rule of President Daniel Ortega, I’m transported back exactly 40 years.
Laggard Jordan advances slowly on women’s rights
In many countries, women live without the legal protection the West takes for granted. Jordan has made strides to protect women’s rights, but it still lags.
Your dream of an electric car will come true, some day
The electric car is here to stay. The shift from conventional vehicles will take time and not be an overnight revolution, but the tipping point will come.
Foreign students take Trump policies in stride
Moves by the Trump administration to curb immigration at first rattled university students, but Indiana University has worked to put foreigners at ease.
Three schools expand News-Decoder to 10 nations
Three schools on three continents are joining News-Decoder, expanding our footprint to 10 countries as we prepare a beefed-up program for young people.
Venezuela: A tale of riches to rags to disaster
Once one of the richest countries in the world, Venezuela now is plagued by hunger, poverty, shortages, crime and the highest inflation rate in the world.
Chinese language shaped my notion of time
I spent the past year in Beijing. The Chinese language has taught me that change is inevitable — and life will yield new loves for me.
The 1960s: The best, and worst, of times
It was the best of times and the worst of times. The 1960s stirred so many hopes — utopia was within reach! — only to see many crushed. The lessons?
EU’s Balkans expansion to go ahead despite concerns
Plans to expand the European Union to include the volatile Western Balkans appear to be going ahead after an agreement ending a 27-year dispute.
Soccer takes center stage with World Cup in Russia
All you need is a flat surface and a ball. Soccer, the world’s leading football sport, takes center stage in Russia with the 21st World Cup
Political earthquake in Spain rocks Europe’s boat
Spain has been hit by a political earthquake that has sent shock waves around the country and through Europe and financial markets.
Finding my identity meant fighting the urge to fit in
A Muslim in America, I drew away from my Arab culture. Now I know that being true to one’s identity means not always yielding to peer pressure.
Why the young feel pain in rich Hong Kong
Hong Kong is seriously rich. But sky-high property prices are keeping many young couples apart and, for many, dashing dreams of owning a home.
We take photos. And we care about big issues.
Censorship, civic protest, friendship, transgender rights, Cuba — five students at News-Decoder partner schools tackle issues they care about in photos.
What if Trump and Kim settled scores on the golf course?
What if North Korean leader Kim Jong-un challenged U.S. President Donald Trump to a round of golf in a high-stakes gamble at a historic summit?
Ads for action: Mumbai primary students protest plastic
Students at a school in India have joined the fight against plastic pollution with an ad campaign aligned with the goals of UN World Environment Day.
News-Decoder helps launch global media prize
The student publication at the U.S. school where 17 people were shot dead will receive a media award overseen by News-Decoder’s parent non-profit.
The Thomas Fire: Awakened from our indifference
We knew the dangers of California’s drought. Soon the rush of school life muffled the warning. Until a raging fire awakened us from our indifference.