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.

COMPASSION

An unselfish love that embraces others.

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

Letter from Beijing: Behind China’s warm welcome of two US vets

Outdated? Patriarchal? Why I still celebrate the Hindu festival of love.

COOPERATION

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

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

With wary eye on Moscow, European Union opens door to Ukraine

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.

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

Workers expand strike against automakers amid dueling visions

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.

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.

‘The Fraud’ pokes at Victorian-era biases – and our own

For Koreans in Japan, this little-known massacre still carries weight

The Monitor's View

Chile’s light of truth on a dark past

How the Cultural Revolution shapes Chinese families decades later

The Monitor's View

The Swedish way of truth-telling

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

‘Telling the honest story’: How good data deepens understanding

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.

RESILIENCE

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

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.

Protesters of Israel-Hamas war fear nuance is getting lost

How US-China ties have crumbled – and where Xi and Biden could rebuild

In Israel, concern grows that hard right is undermining war effort

Focus

What a Texas-sized battle over state history means

Cover Story

His gift of gab and hope may determine the temperature of your world

Netanyahu navigates anger and distrust as he leads an Israel at war

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.