News & Values

Behind every news event are the values that drive people and nations. See how they offer a deeper, clearer understanding of the latest stories, or sort through all our stories by the different values beneath them.

LATEST STORIES
BALANCE

The effort to find a harmony between extremes, not to avoid confrontation or make bold ideas blander or more palatable.

COMMUNITY

The coming together of individuals or groups to form bonds of fellowship that strengthen and enrich themselves and those around them.

In New Orleans, Trinity City Arts unites creativity and public safety

Cover Story

Indigenous Guardians protect their culture of cold in a heating world

In Pictures: The surprising calm of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar

The Explainer

Can US prisons take a page from Norway? Five questions.

War stranded Gaza workers in Israel. How it dashed their dreams.

On farm near Gaza, rescuing a crop today while thinking of tomorrow

COMPASSION

An unselfish love that embraces others.

The Monitor's View

Rising seas, rising compassion

Battered Marvel finds an unexpected champion in ‘Loki’

Amid Pakistan’s historic deportation of Afghans, calls for compassion

As toll rises in Gaza, diplomatic and political costs mount for Biden

To counter teen suicide, French schools turn to lessons in empathy

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

‘Light in the darkness’: The transformative power of giving thanks

COOPERATION

The effort to work together, respecting the diverse strengths and views in others.

Why a US-Israel divide is widening over the war, and Gaza’s future

From anti-narcotics to US-China military contacts, Biden-Xi talks make headway

The Explainer

What California’s climate diplomacy with China achieves

In Pictures: Colombia’s jaguars gain from human cooperation

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Why a close watcher of the Gaza crisis dares to see a sliver of hope

As Poland votes, its close partner Ukraine becomes a political football

COURAGE

The honest struggle to overcome fear and suffering from a desire to do right. Hatred and anger are not courage.

Faces of heroism in Gaza: Doctors, taxi drivers, journalists

To stay or go? Bombarded by Israel, Gazans make anguished choice.

With hostages’ fate uncertain, Israeli families tend spark of hope

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

School amid war: Risk, resolve, and the courage to help kids connect

As Ukrainians slog through minefields, what they need most is time

Have Iran’s hard-liners lost the battle over women’s headscarves?

CREATIVITY

The application of inventiveness, originality, and imagination to address a problem or produce something fresh.

DIGNITY

An inherent quality or worth that cannot be degraded.

EQUALITY

The effort to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to thrive and be treated with respect.

FAIRNESS

The effort to base decisions and judgments on impartial fact and proof without bias toward one group or viewpoint.

The Monitor's View

Climate fairness on a Dutch ballot

To counter teen suicide, French schools turn to lessons in empathy

In Pakistan, one embattled ex-PM gets bail, the other doesn’t. Why?

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Why a close watcher of the Gaza crisis dares to see a sliver of hope

As Poland votes, its close partner Ukraine becomes a political football

Focus

Rebuilding after wildfire: Help is scarcest for those who need it most

FORGIVENESS

An overcoming of resentment or a desire for vengeance in the face of injustice. It never excuses wrong behavior.

FREEDOM

The unhindered expression of universal rights, qualities, and dignity. Freedom expands rights rather than pitting one against another.

GENEROSITY

An expression of compassion that gives of one’s own gifts – a sharing of abundance or charity despite hardship.

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

‘Light in the darkness’: The transformative power of giving thanks

With food and shelter scarce in Gaza, Palestinians turn to each other

After Beirut blast, community brings historic photo studio back to life

The Monitor's View

Welcome the stranger, win the war in Ukraine

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

After Maui fires, tendrils of hope amid loss. A reporter reflects.

From ashes of fire, Maui’s ‘ohana spirit rises

GRATITUDE

The deep recognition or appreciation of goodness or generosity in others.

HONESTY

A commitment to truth that challenges oneself and others to look at issues deeply, without deceit or bias.

HOPE

The earnest expectation of good, no matter the circumstances.

HUMILITY

Free from pride or arrogance; not impotent or subservient.

INNOVATION

The search for new ways to find solutions and discoveries.

INTEGRITY

The commitment to acting honestly and according to high principles of compassion, responsibility, and fairness.

JOY

A happiness whose genuineness and radiance brightens others.

JUSTICE

The effort to ensure the fair and moral treatment of everyone. Honesty and reformation create the conditions for restoration.

PEACE

The calm achieved in the struggle to overcome strife or find personal meaning. It is not achieved merely through force or avoidance.

PROSPERITY

The thriving of people or communities. It can involve monetary wealth but points more deeply to well-being.

How lab-grown diamonds are reshaping this western India city

Why one grandmother’s house has become a national cause

Why striking UAW is so public about wanting more – despite big offers

China’s Belt and Road Initiative: What’s working and what’s not

Cover Story

‘Bidenomics’ boosts blue-collar jobs and green energy. Do voters care?

The Explainer

Why China’s ‘miracle’ growth has slowed

RESILIENCE

The strength expressed by people and communities in recovering from difficulties. It involves victories – small or large – amid adversity.

Points of Progress

How Indigenous people’s work can save aquatic grass and terrestrial forest

War stranded Gaza workers in Israel. How it dashed their dreams.

Family, homes, burials: In Gaza, a race to utilize lull in fighting

America’s last lighthouse keeper is retiring. She, and her light, are ready.

Reporter’s notebook: In Gaza, days of ingenuity, nights of doubt

The call of home: Why some Ukrainian refugees are risking a return now

RESPECT

An appreciation for others’ efforts or principles that promotes cooperation instead of anger or distrust. It does not excuse wrongdoing.

RESPONSIBILITY

Fulfilling a duty to act from high motives, with due consideration for the care of oneself and others.

SAFETY

The belonging and freedom from fear that come with peace and trust. Safety strengthens as it expands, not harming one at the expense of another.

TRANSFORMATION

A change driven by an honest desire to improve, which gives fresh strength and purpose.

TRUST

Hope and confidence in a relationship that has demonstrated mutual respect.