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.

‘It doesn’t have to be scary.’ How to get students to love reading.

Politicians are embracing ‘Lord of the Rings.’ Tolkien had something different in mind.

They stepped away for mental health. Their comebacks are powering the Olympics.

Road to the Olympics: Workouts, fundraising – and starting your own business

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Why a climate scientist’s moment of truth became a complicated story to report

Kids as cooks and dog walkers? How one elementary school encourages independence.

COMMUNITY

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

Jewish extremists harm Israel, official warns. Are Israelis listening?

In the Philippines, eldest daughters take care of their families. Who takes care of them?

Parent stress is a national health issue: Asking for help is a strong first step

Difference Maker

For this affordable-housing advocate in Ontario, tiny homes are where the heart is

Food forests rise in Boston. Edible lots create green space – and community.

People turn to ‘CircleSinging’ to raise their voices – and joy

COMPASSION

An unselfish love that embraces others.

COOPERATION

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

The Monitor's View

Pro athletes as star exemplars

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Smartphones at school: Inside a not-so-simple debate

Human smuggling is on the rise. International collaboration is key to halting it.

Kamala Harris’ world vision: Encouraging to allies, vague on details

Focus

How a gas company and environmentalists united on a first-of-its-kind geothermal project

Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza threatens its ties to the US

COURAGE

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

CREATIVITY

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

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Beyond the buzz: A Monitor film reviewer on the art of curation

‘Water connects all of us’: Black artists create a new relationship with the sea

In Congo, embroidery artist stitches an archive of war

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

On a music festival stage, our writer found folk’s deepest-diving scholar

Why writer AJ Jacobs took up his quill to live like a Founding Father

How do they do it? Breaking offers the Olympics a new beat.

DIGNITY

An inherent quality or worth that cannot be degraded.

Ukraine’s nationalist Azov fighters, once sanctioned by US, strive to clear name

How James Earl Jones’ iconic voice became our voice of conscience

This wall has 122,000 names on it. It’s a testament to people who survived.

Willie Mays, a dugout, and the ‘best’ baseball museum

The Monitor's View

The spark for a new Bangladesh

For Ukrainians, war of survival is also a battle to defend their identity

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.

Special treatment? How judges are handling Trump ahead of election.

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Immigration stories are American stories. How one writer learned to tell them.

Two-thirds of Parliament from a third of the votes: Are British elections out of whack?

These English PhDs helped train Google’s AI bot. Here’s what they think about it now.

As NCAA and Olympics start paying athletes, what happens to the amateur ideal?

‘Golden visas’: Europe tightens residency rules for the rich

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.

HOPE

The earnest expectation of good, no matter the circumstances.

To reach Kashmir’s Himalayan nomads, teachers bring classrooms to the pasture

In the shadow of war, life begins anew in a Congolese maternity ward

Politicians are embracing ‘Lord of the Rings.’ Tolkien had something different in mind.

Difference Maker

In Ukraine, this firefighter and all-round rescuer seeks to provide hope

How Ukrainians fend off Russia, while awaiting new US military aid

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Finding the local storytellers who help bring humanity to light

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.

As summer wanes, I'm chasing flickers of nostalgia by the campfire

People turn to ‘CircleSinging’ to raise their voices – and joy

‘Merci, Paris!’ Our Olympic reporter pens a love letter to the City of Light.

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Olympics coverage, Olympian feat: Our writer relays scenes from Paris

After much grumbling, Parisians have come to embrace the Olympics

It rained on their parade, but the Paris Olympians were all smiles

JUSTICE

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

In a gun-friendly state, parental liability looms following school shooting

Curbs on social media? Judges make it about criminal justice, not free speech.

The Explainer

Why Mexican judicial reform is causing a rift with the US

Georgia unveiled a statue of John Lewis. It stands on symbolic ground.

UK’s fight against far-right hate goes online, but does it go too far?

Protests over women’s safety in India are taking cues from an unusual source

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.

Cover Story

No pushups? No problem. The Army builds a steppingstone to boot camp.

In the Philippines, eldest daughters take care of their families. Who takes care of them?

With Russia targeting Ukraine’s power grid, ‘everyone is an electrician now’

Amid tensions, Israelis follow a war routine: Live life, wait for what comes

Whether 9.79 seconds or 30 minutes, Olympic track and field races inspire awe

How Ukrainians fend off Russia, while awaiting new US military aid

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.

In a gun-friendly state, parental liability looms following school shooting

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

On a music festival stage, our writer found folk’s deepest-diving scholar

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Drug decriminalization: A shift from side-taking to solutions

US weapons help Ukraine advance. Will concerns about corruption put that at risk?

Biden’s pullout marks the end of an American era

Kateryna the Coal Miner? War gives Ukraine its own ‘Rosie the Riveter’ phenom.

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.

The Monitor's View

Haiti’s start for real security

Will the 2024 election results be accepted by all? Wisconsin is a key test.

How one NPR station is trying to win conservative listeners – by listening

Focus

Why a Palestinian plan to revive Gaza and democracy faces doubt and distrust

Biden mobilizes, again, to calm Mideast even as he wrangles with Netanyahu

Podcast: Why We Wrote This

Finding the local storytellers who help bring humanity to light