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News-Decoder wins global news award
News-Decoder has won a coveted award in a global competition honoring innovative efforts to build stronger news media and to engage young audiences.
Why I decided to endorse Hillary Clinton
News-Decoder correspondent James Clad explains why he will vote for Hillary Clinton in the U.S. election even though he served under a Republican president.
Turkey’s move against Kurds alters conflict in Syria
Turkey’s first ground intervention in Syria’s war aims to prevent an independent state for Kurds and changes the dynamics in the five-year-old conflict.
Reflections on France and the burkini
A ban on the burkini swimsuit on several French beaches violates women’s rights, demonstrates intolerance and could backfire, according to News-Decoder ambassadors.
It’s time for the West to stand by Turkey
Turkey’s incursion into Syria illustrates the cardinal role Ankara can play in resolving the protracted conflict. It’s time for Western leaders to acknowledge Turkey’s challenges and contributions.
What to make of France’s ban on burkinis?
What are we to make of France and the burkini? Should we be outraged that towns have banned the swimsuit? Or glad as it is a symbol of oppression?
French region’s misguided cannabis crackdown
France’s capital region wants to test students’ saliva to see if they have been smoking cannabis. It’s a misguided plan that infringes on students’ freedom and should be replaced by education.
Britain’s energy future is in the balance
Britain is at an energy crossroads. Will it approve a costly new nuclear power plant as a step towards a clean-energy future? Or will it rely on fossil fuels to cover power shortfalls?
Instagram lowers the bar to tap into emotions
Instagram’s new “Stories” platform taps into a human desire to share emotions and is re-shaping global marketing and social media.
Céline Rottier: Contributing to a better future
Céline Rottier speaks 8 languages and has 2 master’s degrees. She wants to spur development by contributing to a sustainable energy future.
Time for independence for all of India
Nearly seven decades after it won independence, India is riddled with corruption and ruled by thugs. It’s time to grant independence to India’s 29 states.
Voters finally punish South Africa’s ANC
The long dominant party of Nelson Mandela has been dealt a blow in local elections, punished for economic mismanagement and corruption. But is democracy maturing in South Africa?
Inspiring Syrian children, and drawing inspiration
Volunteers on a mission to help Syrian refugee children ended up in the middle of an attempted coup in Turkey. They drew inspiration from the orphans.
Mission for Syrians snared in Turkey coup
Volunteers to help Syrian refugee children were caught up in Turkey’s attempted coup. Here are their stories of perseverance and improvisation.
How has Europe failed in the Middle East?
The European Union has failed to bring peace to the Middle East and needs to rethink its strategy if it wants to help end conflicts in the region that threaten European security and prosperity.
Nationalism is threatening European unity
Voter discontent with the political establishment, immigration and economic woes have fueled nationalism that is threatening European unification.
U.S. election: Thoughts on Hillary & Trump
What are young people thinking about the U.S. presidential election as it enters the home stretch? Four News-Decoder ambassadors speak out.
Nationalism rears its head again in Europe
Brexit offers a glimpse of the frustration that many Europeans feel with politicians and the EU. Nationalism and populism are on the rise — again — around the continent.
Nuclear power: Is it a white knight?
Environmentalists have long denounced nuclear power as dangerous. But it could help us cut the use of fossil fuels and increase our chances of averting climate change disaster.
Protesters and diversity in Cleveland
Protesters from vastly different backgrounds discuss why they decided to take to the streets of Cleveland, Ohio during the Republican National Convention.
Is Tunisia backsliding with amnesty bill?
Tunisia’s president wants to turn the page on corruption under the Arab nation’s former dictator. But opponents take to the streets to protest what they call a step back in the Arab uprising.
Let’s be sensible about child labor
The world agrees that child labor needs to be eradicated. But not all child labor is bad, and we need a sensible approach that also combats poverty.
Mr. Trump goes to Cleveland
I’m from Cleveland, where Republicans have nominated Donald Trump as their presidential candidate. Farce has not yet descended into tragedy.
Eyewitness in Nice: The dead have no byline
I was in Nice on Bastille Day and am lucky to be alive. I have a byline. But the 84 dead, they have no byline.
Coup in Turkey: Real, inept or orchestrated?
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan emerges stronger from a failed military coup. Was it real or orchestrated?
Eyewitness to Nice attack: “A truck, then screams.”
“The truck plowed into the crowd, and then we heard screaming. It was really a horrible experience.” Robert Holloway saw the attack in Nice last night.
Will drones ever replace journalists?
Drones are a dream come true for cameramen. But they raise thorny ethical questions and are causing headaches for regulators.
Barabinsk, Siberia: My hometown
It’s but a 20-minute stop on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The airport and feed mill are deserted. But Barabinsk is my hometown and always will be.
Court to rule on China-Philippines sea dispute
An obscure court is set to rule on a testy dispute between China and the Philippines over remote islets in the South China Sea. The stakes are high for the U.S. and its allies in Asia.
Humanity within nature: photos from Mali
Landscape designer Chris Hendershot traveled to Mali in 2015 and has shared with us photos that he took while in the West African country.
Iran nuclear deal: a threat delayed
The nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers sealed a year ago is good as it prevents Iran from building weapons for at least a decade.
Iran’s nuclear plan of destruction
It’s been a year since world powers signed a nuclear accord with Iran. This is not a good deal for the United States.
No end to Americans’ love of guns
Americans die every day from guns, yet lawmakers struggle to pass laws to control powerful firearms. Why do Americans have a love affair with guns?
Britain stumbles into the cold
Fury, disgust, fear, dismay — the intensity of my reactions to Britain’s vote to leave the EU surprised me. Why should I care so much?
Brexit: Shock, shame & hope
Shock, shame, disgust and hope: Young people share their feelings after Britain’s vote to leave the European Union.
Brexit shows crisis of polling – again
Scores of opinion surveys forecast the wrong result in Britain’s EU referendum, but there’s no sign pollsters are closer to figuring out better ways to predict electoral winners.
Football hooliganism rears its head again
Fan violence by hooligans at this year’s European football championships is a reminder of George Orwell’s adage that sport is “war minus the shooting.”
Brexit: Lessons from the referendum
Britain’s vote to leave the EU offers a lesson to all democratic leaders who consider calling a referendum: Think again!
Brexit: A nation deeply divided
Brexit has revealed a country deeply divided over economic security to national identity — issues likely to define politics for a generation.
Why Britain needs to stay in the EU
I am voting for Britain to remain in the European Union because a united Europe will be better positioned than 28 individual states to deal with the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Why Britain needs to leave the EU
Today’s European Union is not what Britain originally signed up for. It’s time for the UK to leave the EU and rediscover its global role.
Panama Papers: Shadowy offshore dealings
The biggest leak in history, the Panama Papers have revealed how some rich and powerful can dodge taxes, launder money, commit fraud and evade international sanctions.
U.S. missiles recall Cold War tensions
NATO defense missiles near Russia’s border have angered Vladimir Putin. Is the U.S. missile system the solution in today’s uncertain world?
China’s Cultural Revolution: ongoing taboo
It upended China’s history. But the 50th anniversary of the launch of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution was shrouded in silence.
Brexit: A once in a generation decision
Britain’s vote whether to stay in the EU is around the corner. “Brexit” poses momentous consequences for the UK, Europe and the world.
Why did Russia let Ukraine’s “Joan of Arc” go?
Russia has released pilot Nadiya Savchenko, Ukraine’s “Joan of Arc,” from prison. Does Vladimir Putin want the EU to drop sanctions?
With Hillary on a historic night
Hillary finally entered. When she raised her arms, the cheers turned very loud. Everybody understood that she had clinched the Democratic nomination.
France and America: Lesson in contrasts
I’ve spent the past year in France. I’m not French, but I no longer identify completely as an American. It’s given me a new perspective.
Muhammad Ali: Brash, bold, brilliant
Muhammad Ali shattered conventions inside and outside the boxing ring, and he forever changed the relationship between sports stars and fans.
My white shirt was speckled with Liston’s blood
I covered the boxing match when Muhammad Ali beat Sonny Liston for his first world championship. My white shirt was speckled with Liston’s blood.