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Why the U.S. Supreme Court is so important
U.S. Supreme Court rulings can have a sweeping impact on business, society and politics. Here’s a primer.
A woman on the U.S. campaign bus
Obama, Bush, Clinton, Palin — Deborah Charles covered them all. Here’s what it was like for a woman on the campaign bus.
Britain: In or out of Europe?
Britain will decide soon whether to stay in the European Union. A decision to quit the 28-member bloc — “Brexit” — would alter the future for the UK and the EU.
Mideast conflicts threaten to redraw borders
Fighting across the Middle East threatens to reshape the region and redraw borders along religious lines — rolling back history by almost a century.
Is the world doing enough for Syrian refugees?
Are Arab nations doing enough to help Middle Eastern refugees, especially from Syria? Should Europe be doing more?
The danger of pushing Putin into a corner
Russia’s economic woes seem to make it an easy target, but the West runs a risk in trying to paint Vladimir Putin into a corner.
Learning diplomacy — to help the world
“The atmosphere blew me away.” Giuliana represented Denmark at the model United Nations and quickly learned the arts of diplomacy.
There’s hope in the battle against cancer
David Bowie, Joe Cocker, Alan Rickman. Cancer remains a leading cause of death, but medical researchers are making the dread disease less lethal.
Cheap oil need not doom global climate deal
A glut of crude oil and the dramatic price drop would seem to bode ill for the global climate accord. But it isn’t necessarily so.
Marjan: “It hurts to see destruction in the Middle East”
Marjan moved to Canada from the Middle East as a young girl. She returned two years ago to discover a magical place. But she suffers seeing the destruction. “It hurts.”
There’s no predicting who will succeed Barack Obama
Gene Gibbons saw lots of politics during three decades covering the White House. But there’s no predicting who will succeed U.S. President Obama.
Italy covers up but no hiding from brickbats
Diplomatic deference or crass kowtowing? Italy’s decision to cover up nude statues during a visit by Iran’s president provokes scorn, glee and irony.
I watched presidents from a privileged perch
Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton — Gene Gibbons watched six presidents from one of the venerable vantage points of U.S. journalism.
Two experts join News-Decoder’s team
Two new experts have agreed to join News-Decoder’s team of correspondents, adding depth in defense issues and international affairs to our pool of writers.
Let us youth have a say in peace talks
We are the world’s youth. We make up a huge share of its population. We demand a voice in peace talks.
Just how low can stock markets go?
Stock markets around the world have fallen sharply. The question is: How vicious can the bear become?
Nolwazi: Helping bridge the digital divide
“By helping people have access to information, we can potentially promote positive change.”
Europe’s refugee crisis?
Is Europe facing a refugee crisis? Is it Europe’s crisis? The answer to both questions is “no,” according to two experts who spoke to News-Decoder.
Mali Nyeta and building a school: Progress in Africa
Mali Nyeta, a U.S.-based NGO, has built a school in Mali. It’s their mission to support the health and welfare of Africans, hungry for education.
Climate: Can China and the U.S. keep their pledges?
The end of 2015 saw a successful conclusion to the Paris Climate Change Conference. Six weeks later, clouds are already on the horizon.
A humanitarian crisis in landlocked Nepal
The UN warned of the potential for a serious humanitarian crisis. But from what we witnessed in Nepal, the crisis had already begun.
Freya: Helping children in New Orleans
After living in Vietnam and a stint in the U.S. Peace Corps, Freya is helping children in New Orleans. “I think empathy is the most critical life skill.”
China watch: A journey towards ambiguity
David Schlesinger has observed China for three decades. In an interview, the former Reuters editor-in-chief reflects on China’s complexities.
Bowie and the pantheon of icons
David Bowie has been lionized as a creative genius and trend-setter. Here’s what he meant to our young readers. And their thoughts on the music pantheon of tomorrow.
It could have been our families and us
We wonder how many more times we can do this — but we cannot stop. We keep coming back.
North Korea: defiance and chutzpah
North Korea has defied the world again. What does its latest nuclear blast mean for regional and global security?
Lucile: Curiosity and amazement
“Living abroad, or simply visiting a foreign place, is always both a discovery and a challenge.”
Non-voters matter, so please vote!
Voters who don’t show up abdicate their voice to militants and zealots.
Iran and Saudi Arabia at daggers drawn — again
The execution of a Muslim cleric has inflamed an ancient sectarian rift dividing two Mideast powers — Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Fear, ignorance and the U.S. elections
Bomb a fictional city? U.S. presidential candidates exploit fear and ignorance among voters.
Starting a new year with refugees
After the refugees crossed the border, we offered them warm coffee, and their expressions changed completely.
Our future is in their hands
Young people from around the world express their views in our “snapshot” series that captures the concerns of our future leaders.
Jobs around the world, in photos
Fishermen, weavers, painters, jacks-of-all-trades, builders, artisans and craftsmen are captured in these photographs taken by globetrotters from a French not-for-profit.
Tackling the Big Issues
News-Decoder has been hitting the world’s biggest issues hard. Here’s a selection of our stories on the really major themes.
Building a carbon-free future
The Paris climate change talks sent a signal a carbon-free future is within reach. Now, everything can start to change. Here are some solutions.
Avoiding mistakes in Syria
Should the U.S. intervene more aggressively in Syria? History tells us it could lead to mistakes. And blocking immigrants would betray U.S. values.
Pauline turns the page
Pauline Bock has helped get News-Decoder off the ground. We wish her well as she moves to a new journalism challenge in London.
Is Saudi Arabia’s coalition a bluff?
Saudi Arabia has announced an impressive Muslim coalition to fight radical Islamism. But it’s most likely bluff to protect Riyadh’s political interests if a diplomatic solution is found in Syria.
The far right and the French dilemma
France’s far-right National Front party keeps gaining ground. Its leader wants to be president. There’s a chance I’ll face a distasteful choice in 2017.
What I learned from the Paris attacks
Study abroad is about being afraid. The Paris attacks have forced me to confront an unexpected fear and allowed me to discover the beauty of France.
Paris climate pact: an “inadequate miracle”
The Paris climate change agreement is inspiring for pulling out an accord where so many have failed, yet disappointing for not ensuring a carbon-free economy.
Chelsea: “Our world has become interconnected”
Traveling to unusual places can produce the most rewarding experiences, says Chelsea Boorman, who wants to counter violent extremism and terrorism.
“I would have to Google that.”
Young voters could make a major difference in next year’s U.S. presidential election. But only if they are registered to vote. And that’s not always easy.
Far-right surge reshapes politics in France
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has transformed France’s political landscape, challenging the dominance of parties that have alternated in government for decades.
Why so many climate doubters in the U.S.?
As global negotiators hammer out an unprecedented climate accord in Paris, most Americans don’t believe climate change is a very serious problem.
Melting ice and the frog syndrome
Melting ice, hamster wheels and grass curtains — Paris is an open-air exhibition during global climate talks. But is the best metaphor a boiling frog?
Filling the knowledge gap
We all have biases, but it’s important to understand viewpoints different from our own. Here’s how to avoid falling into the wolf trap.
I’m worried for Europe
The attacks in Paris have fanned security fears and nationalist feelings. I am a young European who grew up in a free Europe, and I am worried.
Trump’s anti-Muslim blast: True to form
The more outrageous his claims, the higher U.S. presidential hopeful Donald Trump rides in the polls. Why?