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
ResilienceUkraine shows off its reconstruction in Venice – with AI aidEven amid war, Ukrainians are rebuilding their homes. To architects, that reconstruction is a form of resistance against the Russian invasion, too.
IntegrityThe integrity behind ethical AIOne company’s transparency about character flaws in its artificial intelligence was a reality check for an industry trying to ensure high values in AI.
FreedomDespite lingering taboos, more Filipinas are choosing to be child-freeAmid economic and political instability at home and abroad, a growing number of young women in the Philippines are breaking social taboos and making the decision to not have children.
BALANCE
The effort to find a harmony between extremes, not to avoid confrontation or make bold ideas blander or more palatable.
Podcast: Why We Wrote This ‘Progress’ can be dirty business. Our climate writer looks into the trade-offs.A lot of technology, including some that makes us “greener,” calls for practices like mining and carries upfront costs for the environment. Its regular use slurps resources. But it also makes us productive and provides essential support. A conversation about being intentional and staying open to perspectives.
Syrians learn to bend and blendBouts of religious violence since December’s liberation from a dictator have not halted a historic desire for an inclusive society. “We learn together and we empower each other,” one minister explained.
Podcast: Why We Wrote This ‘Severance’: Our writer probes a way-out series about work with meaningBy now you probably either are all in on the Apple TV+ series that feels like “Black Mirror” meets “Office Space,” or have walled it off. On the eve of the Season 2 finale of “Severance,” we had a no-spoilers chat with our senior culture writer about why, for some, the dark show resonates.
After ‘Severance,’ will we ever see work-life balance the same way?Is “Severance,” about workplace drudgery, the greatest exploration of work-life imbalance ever filmed?
Why Florida and almost half of US states are enshrining a right to hunt and fishShowing a shift in conservation values, Florida voters recently approved a right-to-hunt amendment on the same ballot where marijuana rights failed.
Hailing the innocent in SyriaAs political prisoners are freed and low-level soldiers forgiven, the new leaders have started a long process of reconciliation, driven by a balance between justice and mercy.
COMMUNITY
The coming together of individuals or groups to form bonds of fellowship that strengthen and enrich themselves and those around them.
This Nigerian nonprofit brings former foes together through the power of storytellingA group known as Yiavha has trained hundreds of youths to organize intergenerational storytelling sessions in their communities.
‘We’ve never been as united.’ Harvard community rallies despite Trump funding cuts.The Harvard community is processing the loss of $3 billion in funding from the Trump administration. But ahead of graduation, students, faculty, and local businesses share what is unifying them – and fueling their pride in the school.
Compassion tempers a war’s impactA civil war in Sudan has triggered community-led support for people displaced by fighting. This civilian response is rooted in a tradition of Islamic spiritual struggle and a “call to mobilize.”
George Floyd’s murder sparked a reckoning on race. But did America change?George Floyd’s murder prompted Americans to reexamine their communities – and themselves. In Kansas City, Missouri, residents still confront a wall of racial separation.- Podcast: Why We Wrote This ‘Progress’ can be dirty business. Our climate writer looks into the trade-offs.
A lot of technology, including some that makes us “greener,” calls for practices like mining and carries upfront costs for the environment. Its regular use slurps resources. But it also makes us productive and provides essential support. A conversation about being intentional and staying open to perspectives.
South Africa’s ‘soccer grannies’ take the field for kicks and camaraderieOff the field, many of these older women have extraordinarily challenging lives. On the field, they are simply athletes.
COMPASSION
An unselfish love that embraces others.
‘Bless that corner.’ A Chicago crossing guard marks 50 years.For half a century, Eugenia Phillips has been ushering schoolchildren to safety at intersections across the Windy City. That’s 50 years of Chicago winters. Fifty years of new student faces.
At Israeli protest for hostage release, Gaza’s children are in spotlight now, tooDuring war, empathy can be elusive. But the growing number of children in Gaza who have been killed is prompting a moral reckoning for some Israelis.
Why Iraq gives Syria a handBy welcoming Syria’s new leader – a former Al Qaeda terrorist – Iraq shows a generosity born of its own violent past to lift a neighbor emerging from conflict.
Neighborly care for absentee studentsNew York City will enlist parents in a community to contact other parents whose kids often skip school and then link them to services. The premise: Parents really do love their children.
Mexico leans into an essential truthFor the mothers wanting details of missing loved ones, a president’s nod to their cause helps a nation seeking answers to ending cartel violence.
After LA fires, the Oscars decreed the show must go on. Here’s why.How do you calibrate an Oscars ceremony after a natural disaster? Other award shows are balancing the glitz with compassion – which is resonating at a time when Los Angeles is rebuilding.
COOPERATION
The effort to work together, respecting the diverse strengths and views in others.
Across Arab Mideast, a new alignment rises: An axis of cooperationA new regional alignment rising in the Middle East shifts power away from Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.” Moderate Sunnis seeking stability and prosperity now have friendly governments in Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad.
The UK and EU have cut a deal. Is it the start of post-Brexit European unity?The U.K. and EU are seeking security amid global economic and geopolitical shifts. But how far can they roll back their testy Brexit divorce?
For the few right whales left, technology and teamwork are showing promiseNorth Atlantic right whales are critically endangered. But cooperation from towns, businesses, fishers, and ecologists to use new technology could create conditions in which the whale population can stabilize.
A win for peaceful accord in TurkeyThe country’s main Kurdish separatist group is disbanding and laying down arms – initiating a process that could both strengthen and test democracy in Turkey.
Why water feuds seldom dissolve accordsDespite recent contention over fresh-water resources between countries, the global record is one of collaboration and shared oversight.
What USAID cuts mean for Peru as it battles cartels on coca, gold tradePeru received $135 million in USAID funding in 2024. Substantial contributions were for areas ranging from democratic governance to minority rights.
COURAGE
The honest struggle to overcome fear and suffering from a desire to do right. Hatred and anger are not courage.
In the new Medal of Honor museum, courage lives in every roomWhat makes someone courageous? The Monitor spoke with Chris Cassidy, one of the leaders of the National Medal of Honor Museum, about recipients of the U.S. award – and how available courage is to everyone.
Gaza journalists’ challenging mission: Report on the war, and survive itGaza journalists reporting on the war in their homeland often find themselves accused by Israel of ties to Hamas, and the targets of airstrikes.
Rebels with a robot: ‘Rule Breakers’ celebrates Afghan girls who dared to dreamA celebration of the bravery and ingenuity of the Afghan girls robotics team contrasts with the reality of Afghanistan’s women under Taliban repression.
Facing relentless Russia, Ukraine confronts shortages of men and moraleAs the Russia-Ukraine war grinds toward its third anniversary, Ukrainian morale is low amid shortages of military support from European allies and America under Donald Trump.
Ukraine’s Pokrovsk was about to fall to Russia 2 months ago. It’s hanging on.The story of the grinding Russian-Ukrainian land battle is one of an imbalance of forces and supplies, mostly in Russia’s favor. Yet Ukraine finds ways to defy the odds, at least for a while.
Podcast: Why We Wrote This Fluency, curiosity, and a bike: Letting Taiwan tell its own storyThe story of China and Taiwan is often framed in terms of what China might do next. Our reporter went to Taiwan to report a deep story on Taiwanese perceptions of their collective identity and aims. She joined our podcast to talk about it.
CREATIVITY
The application of inventiveness, originality, and imagination to address a problem or produce something fresh.
Nobody’s muse: Revisiting the art of Leonora CarringtonFor her unique vision, artist and writer Leonora Carrington is among a number of creative women being celebrated anew.- Podcast: Why We Wrote This ‘Severance’: Our writer probes a way-out series about work with meaning
By now you probably either are all in on the Apple TV+ series that feels like “Black Mirror” meets “Office Space,” or have walled it off. On the eve of the Season 2 finale of “Severance,” we had a no-spoilers chat with our senior culture writer about why, for some, the dark show resonates.
Idina Menzel’s new Broadway show has a towering co-star: Stella the treeWhen Idina Menzel is in a musical, she is one of the most talked-about stars onstage. In her latest, “Redwood,” Stella, a massive tree, is vying for top billing.
As the Oscars near, there’s still time to see these best performancesOur film critic loves a great performance. His top acting picks for 2024 include stars who are up for Academy Awards – and those who he argues should be.
A documentarian’s take on the magic of moviegoing (audio)Community movie houses have proved surprisingly resilient and adaptive despite challenges. Avid patrons play a starring role. Anne Continelli, a Massachusetts-based filmmaker, is working on a documentary about communities saving their cinemas.
Laughter, with no strings attached: Ukrainian puppeteers bring joy amid warFrom a basement space in Kharkiv, a puppet theater troupe allows the show to go on even if air raid sirens blare.
DIGNITY
An inherent quality or worth that cannot be degraded.
Syria’s path of justice and mercyConcern over the country splitting apart may be headed off by an attempt at national reconciliation through two commissions probing past atrocities.
As war with Russia drags on, Ukrainians wage parallel ‘revolution of dignity’In the past, most of Ukrainian life was conducted in the Russian tongue. After three years of war, Ukrainians are also fighting for their language and identity.
Kenya embraces refugees as partnersA new plan that integrates more than 800,000 refugees sees them as contributors, not burdens, to society.
Rallies for innocence in GazaThe largest protests against Hamas since the start of the war put a spotlight on the use of civilians as human shields to maximize killings by Israel.
The art of freedom in IranA U.N. report on atrocities after the 2022 protests comes as Iran’s ruling clerics finally realize that the people, especially women, still find ways to express dignity and equality.
In Kansas, the Shawnee vie for control of their historyA controversy in Kansas illustrates the dark history of U.S. Indian boarding schools. Can Indigenous peoples like the Shawnee control their story?
EQUALITY
The effort to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to thrive and be treated with respect.
Women’s freedom to ride – and provideIn more countries, women are driving motorbikes, breaking social restrictions while helping other women find safe rides. They are finding new abilities and inner freedom as they support themselves and their families.
10 years ago, SCOTUS said same-sex couples could marry. Why do they worry today?Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court case that found a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, turns 10 in June. More than two-thirds of Americans consistently support marriage equality. But one attorney who argued the case likens the right to a “split screen” in the Trump era.
Set in bronze: Dawn Staley statue honors her basketball legacy, and her missionThe newly unveiled statue in Columbia, South Carolina, honoring decorated athlete and coach Dawn Staley represents her basketball legacy, as well as her ongoing fight for equality.
Lebanon digs deep for its identityTorn by war and a once-dominant Hezbollah militia, the country looks to shared culture and other bonding ways to heal sectarian divides.
Bangladesh’s revolution fixes on equalityA drive for fairness in hiring led students to overthrow a ruler. Now a new student-led party anchors itself in such values.
How Jackie Robinson’s legacy survived attempts to erase itOn opening day for Major League Baseball, our columnist looks at another side of Jackie Robinson’s legacy: statesman and writer.
FAIRNESS
The effort to base decisions and judgments on impartial fact and proof without bias toward one group or viewpoint.
The Istanbul mayor’s arrest, and rise of a ‘new model’ of Turkish autocracyTurkey’s next presidential election is in 2028, so why would the mayor of Istanbul, a Recep Tayyip Erdoğan rival, be arrested now? One reason: The autocratic Mr. Erdoğan fears a loosening hold on voters.
Why Europe is still embracing DEIEuropean businesses lag behind the United States in employee diversity, equity, and inclusion, but there are no signs they are following Donald Trump’s policy.
Ahead of Tanzania’s election, Maasai fight to stay putWhen Tanzania’s government asked the Maasai to cast their ballots in the November election hundreds of miles from home, many rose up in protest.
Apology but no cash payments: California reparations for slavery start incrementallyA $12 million legislative package of reparations for slavery’s effects is an incremental first step by California, and considered a national model.
Special treatment? How judges are handling Trump ahead of election.Prosecuting a former and would-be leader may be the ultimate stress test of a nation’s justice system. Donald Trump’s criminal cases are all delayed.
Podcast: Why We Wrote This Immigration stories are American stories. How one writer learned to tell them.Our Denver-based Mountain West writer covers such regional issues as water and wolves. She also has built a fast-growing body of work around immigrants and refugees. She joined our podcast to talk about reporting a sprawling story with completeness and compassion.
FORGIVENESS
An overcoming of resentment or a desire for vengeance in the face of injustice. It never excuses wrong behavior.
Called to lead Europe, Germany weighs its national guilt. Is it time to move on?How Germany processes its Nazi history is an increasingly pressing concern. For many, the question is how to move on without forgetting the past.
Hugs of mercy in a Texas courtroomAfter a plea of guilty and his sentencing, a mass shooter receives acts of forgiveness from family members of victims. It was both healing and civilizing.
Syria’s path to innocenceThe Arab country’s new leaders join citizens and civil society organizations in establishing justice on a basis of forgiveness.
Thanksgiving as forgivingAn official apology to Native Americans – and a response of forgiveness – can help create the possibility of a mutual feeling of justice.
Look who seeks Ethiopia’s postwar healingLocal communities start the process of justice and reconciliation two years after one of Africa’s worst wars.
This artist turned a forgiveness journey into a film – with the help of Steven SpielbergAs his new movie debuts, artist Titus Kaphar reflects on what it takes to arrive at forgiveness – and to share it with the world.
FREEDOM
The unhindered expression of universal rights, qualities, and dignity. Freedom expands rights rather than pitting one against another.
- Despite lingering taboos, more Filipinas are choosing to be child-freeAmid economic and political instability at home and abroad, a growing number of young women in the Philippines are breaking social taboos and making the decision to not have children.
Casting an eye on freedom in IranThis year’s Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival put a spotlight on Iranians’ aspirations, artistry, and fierce independence of thought in confronting a repressive government.
Students toppled a dictator. Now they must help remake Bangladesh.Pro-democracy students helped oust Bangladesh’s autocratic leader. Now the country is grappling with how it sees its past – and defines its future.
Are Germany’s moves against far-right party a model, or cautionary tale?In Germany, government has the power to ban extremist political parties. Should it use that power to outlaw the second-biggest party in the country?
A Baltic beacon for freedom in EuropeEstonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are ahead of other European nations in boosting security safeguards. They learned from Soviet rule how to hold on to democratic ideals.
The art of emancipation in ParisAn exhibit at the Centre Pompidou displays the creativity of Black artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States, who flocked to the French capital after 1945 for mental liberation from stereotypes.
GENEROSITY
An expression of compassion that gives of one’s own gifts – a sharing of abundance or charity despite hardship.
The inviting geniality of a front porchA large exhibit on how Americans use the porch serves as a reminder of how this public-private space can foster dialogue and neighborliness.
Why the seismic giving to Myanmar?A country hit by a massive quake finds itself the recipient of a global competition to deliver aid in natural disasters. Generosity, even with selfish motives, can trigger generosity.
Politics of love in Turkey’s protestsDespite his arrest, the leading opposition figure urges peaceful action and the embrace of opponents in the face of rising autocracy.
A refresh for foreign aidCuts in foreign aid by Europe and the U.S. are forcing recipient nations to question a dependency mentality and discover local solutions.
Ex-NFL star trades the gridiron to grow food for those in needJason Brown turned down a golden opportunity as a professional football player so that he could start a family farm and give away most of its harvest.
LA’s postfire community spiritOther places hit by wildfires advise Los Angeles to rebuild public spaces that capture the generosity and bonds felt among neighbors.
GRATITUDE
The deep recognition or appreciation of goodness or generosity in others.
Why the thanks for German tanksTiny Lithuania on the Russian border welcomed the first permanent deployment of German forces on foreign soil since World War II. Germany welcomed the gratitude for its transformation into a trusted leader of Europe.
Podcast: Why We Wrote This Feast mode: Our food writer serves up a complicated holiday’s history and hitsThere are the skirmishes over fresh cranberries or canned, turkey or tofu. There may be conflicting opinions about aspects of the first-Thanksgiving story or the latest political news. But from food culture’s evolution to shifting family dynamics, it all works best when gratitude gets its seat at the table.
The delights of US democracyLocal celebrations of the election process help remind Americans of democracy’s resiliency while boosting their well-being.
As summer wanes, I'm chasing flickers of nostalgia by the campfireI yearned for my childhood summers by the lake. With my son, I have a chance to revisit that enchantment.
He sought asylum. She was seeking to help. Friday, he graduated from law school.At a time of increasing news avoidance by people who feel depressed by conflicts and calamities, news engagement can have the potential to do something very different: inspire and transform lives.
Kharkiv hails Biden’s OK to strike inside Russia: ‘We’ve been waiting’Throughout the war in Ukraine, a recurring theme has been Kyiv’s gratitude for U.S. military aid tinged with impatience over its timeliness. President Biden’s decision to allow some use of U.S. weapons against targets in Russia fits the pattern.
HONESTY
A commitment to truth that challenges oneself and others to look at issues deeply, without deceit or bias.
In Romania, clean politics clean upA surprise win for a graft-fighting candidate to be the next president shows the top priority of young Romanians. All the better to fend off Russian influence.
Europe’s grassroots anti-graft driveAnti-corruption protesters in Serbia finally push the European Union to tackle a problem across the continent.
A new global center for clean governmentOnce a leader in tackling bribery and other corruption worldwide, the U.S. may be ceding that role to Europe.
Sunlight on hidden feesU.S. states are driving a robust legal trend toward transparency in pricing, measuring the value of goods and services in honesty and respect for consumers.
In Malawi, sex and mental health can be taboo topics. Not on this radio show.Farm Radio Trust harnesses the power of radio to help the young people of Malawi share their experiences on difficult subjects.
Moody chickens? Playful bumblebees? Science decodes the rich inner lives of animals.New science shows that farm animals and other creatures exhibit signs of conscious experience. How should this make us see them – and ourselves?
HOPE
The earnest expectation of good, no matter the circumstances.
‘Sold ... a dream’: Young Senegalese sour on the president they choseYoung Senegalese voters were a driving force behind Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s victory in last year’s presidential election. Now, many are disillusioned.
Hate chased a Holocaust survivor off TikTok. His message is still: Seek hope.In an online world filled with vitriol, Holocaust survivor and grandfather Gidon Lev continues to be a social media influencer who tries to teach where hate can lead, with a mix of stories, dancing, and humor.
Iraqis hope for an era of peace. Their neighbors hold the key.Iraqi territory has often been a proxy field for others’ battles. But as Turkey talks with the Kurds, and the U.S. engages Iran, Iraqi leaders and citizens are daring to look to an era of progress and stability.
Why a $4 bicycle repair signals hope for Syria’s postwar economyAfter over a decade of civil war, and several months since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, small investments by Syrian families signal hope for the economy’s future.
Syria’s new flag is everywhere: ‘Everyone wants to touch freedom’Syrians rally around their old/new flag, a symbol of pride, hope, and freedom that rode into Damascus with the rebels who overthrew the Assad regime. It adorns everything.
In post-Assad Syria, a Ramadan embrace of freedom and solidarityAcross Syria, the reunification of families and communities that had been displaced by conflict has enhanced the spirituality and generosity of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
HUMILITY
Free from pride or arrogance; not impotent or subservient.
Latin America’s model of modest leadershipThe region’s response to the death of a beloved former president in Uruguay underscores how that nation’s values have inspired democratic norms across the Americas.
The meekness behind human ‘flourishing’A global survey by two American universities finds a link between a satisfying life and spiritual well-being. People in less-wealthy nations rank particularly high because of their regular religious engagement.
Bigger machine, bigger thinkingA European plan to build the world’s largest particle accelerator has sparked questions about humility and the frontiers of thinking in physics.
A humble heart in the Dodgers dynastyMookie Betts shows courage and unselfishness in switching to one of baseball’s most difficult field positions.
Germany jumps mental hurdlesNew leaders plan to break taboos on military spending and fiscal restraint. One reason that made this possible: the country’s hard work for postwar reconciliation.
A defeat for terrorism in the MideastThe founder of a Kurdish armed insurgency calls for his fighters to disarm and dissolve, reflecting a trend against terrorism in the Mideast and for democracy.
INNOVATION
The search for new ways to find solutions and discoveries.
Two brothers use mangoes to help break the hunger cycle in a Ugandan villageThe nonprofit Mango Project is addressing food waste in a village that has a bounty of mangoes.
Origins of Ukraine’s drone creativityIn a military milestone, a Ukrainian drone downed a Russian war jet. The source of the country’s culture of tech innovation is now a model.
Pursuit of critical minerals unearths new idea: Use what’s already dug upRare earth elements are needed for everything from green technology to consumer goods like laptops and batteries. Mining them, though, can cause environmental problems. But researchers say some of what’s needed is already above ground.
The European Union has wealth and people. Why isn’t it more competitive?The European Union is the largest single market in the world, yet it is seeing only sluggish economic growth. Why isn’t the EU competitive?
Volcanic CO2 threatens these villagers. High-tech sensors are keeping them safe.CO2 levels spiked in La Palma, Spain, after the 2021 Cumbre Vieja eruption. But a novel network of CO2 detectors is helping keep locals safe today.
The cure for congested cities? Kenya is building new ones.Many African satellite city projects have aimed too high, and failed to launch. But one such project in Kenya, Tatu City, is bucking the odds.
INTEGRITY
The commitment to acting honestly and according to high principles of compassion, responsibility, and fairness.
- The integrity behind ethical AIOne company’s transparency about character flaws in its artificial intelligence was a reality check for an industry trying to ensure high values in AI.
How integrity drives Sri Lanka’s reformsA public pursuit of better governance, as well as conditions set by an international lender, helps roll back an era of corruption.
Why Iran and US need OmanThe wisdom of Oman as a patient, listening go-between will be essential for negotiating a new deal over Iran’s nuclear program and its proxy militias.
Who is Mark Carney? Maybe just who Canada wants to face off against Trump.A few months ago, Mark Carney was unknown in Canada. Now he’s prime minister and favored in upcoming elections – thanks to the Trump administration.
When nations live by integrityA global body that sets norms for honesty and transparency in trade and finance has lately helped nations curb “dirty money” and boost their economies.
Why this basketball star shines onFor Diana Taurasi, her incredible success on the court came from an attitude of calm confidence and a love of others, helping draw new fans to women’s basketball.
JOY
A happiness whose genuineness and radiance brightens others.
This restaurateur never made it past fifth grade. Now she runs a roadside library.The owner of a popular pit stop in Ozar, India, keeps her business stacked with books that are free for the browsing.
The climate legacy of a pope and a patriarchThe death of Pope Francis and an award for the Orthodox church leader bring praise for the holy men’s promotion of a spiritual dimension to climate issues.
Valerie June’s new music embraces joy and the healing power of soulful musicWith the arrival of Valerie June’s latest album comes a chance for the singer to reflect on her artistic journey – and how music fuels her, and the world.
From Russia, with joyBreaking one of hockey’s biggest records – all-time goals scored – took more than talent for Alexander Ovechkin. He also exudes humility and a love of the game.- In post-Assad Syria, a Ramadan embrace of freedom and solidarityAcross Syria, the reunification of families and communities that had been displaced by conflict has enhanced the spirituality and generosity of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Sports as sprouts amid strifeFor residents of Gaza and women in Afghanistan, a revival of athletics lays the seeds for joy as a people.
JUSTICE
The effort to ensure the fair and moral treatment of everyone. Honesty and reformation create the conditions for restoration.
In Turkey, authoritarian president faces burgeoning protestsA new wave of popular protest is gathering strength in Turkey, where President Erdoğan is showing increasing signs of authoritarianism. But past demonstrations have not made him back down.
So, how do you know if a country is in a constitutional crisis?The U.S. Constitution divides power among three branches – executive, congressional, and judicial. Presidents have sometimes tried to claim more power, as President Trump is doing now. But when does it become a crisis?
A burst of justice in the PhilippinesA country still scoring low in rule of law marks another success by handing over a former president to an international court for alleged crimes against humanity.
Mexico faces US gunmakers in Supreme Court, saying they fuel cartel crimeDo U.S. arms manufacturers bear responsibility for the guns fueling cartel violence in Mexico? Mexico is arguing that case before the Supreme Court.
Why rich oil reserves are a mixed blessing for UgandansA controversial oil pipeline project in Uganda and Tanzania has displaced tens of thousands, generating an outcry from residents and activists.
Podcast: Why We Wrote This Trump and the law: A justice reporter talks about the busiest beat in newsNever in American history has an American president had his claims of executive powers so regularly tested by the courts. For a reporter, that means staying clear of loaded language, keeping the work clinical and fair, and remembering to breathe.
PEACE
The calm achieved in the struggle to overcome strife or find personal meaning. It is not achieved merely through force or avoidance.
Kurdish militants say they’ll disarm in favor of politics. Will Turkey respond?Kurdish and Turkish statements indicate both sides recognize the limits of violence. Yet the PKK says an expected quid pro quo from Turkey is recognition of Kurdish political and cultural rights, which is not assured.
India and Pakistan agree to a fragile ceasefire, then explosions rattle KashmirIndia and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire to end the most serious conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. Explosions sounded hours later.
Russia and the US seem near a Ukraine peace deal. Kyiv’s role may be moot.Moscow and Washington seem close to an agreement on a Ukraine peace plan, leaving Russia pleased – even if the talks don’t pan out.
In postwar Ethiopia, a stand on higher groundA potential for renewed war in Tigray state was averted after two former foes – the prime minister and a Tigrayan general – helped rebalance a peace deal that ended the deadly 2020-2022 war.
She survived Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Now she promotes peace through education.Though she lives half a world away in Japan, Marie Louise Kambenga is the driving force behind a school in her homeland of Rwanda.- Iraqis hope for an era of peace. Their neighbors hold the key.Iraqi territory has often been a proxy field for others’ battles. But as Turkey talks with the Kurds, and the U.S. engages Iran, Iraqi leaders and citizens are daring to look to an era of progress and stability.
PROSPERITY
The thriving of people or communities. It can involve monetary wealth but points more deeply to well-being.
- Across Arab Mideast, a new alignment rises: An axis of cooperationA new regional alignment rising in the Middle East shifts power away from Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.” Moderate Sunnis seeking stability and prosperity now have friendly governments in Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad.
Why Harvard and other colleges are fighting for ‘essential freedom’The oldest university in the United States is now leading a charge to protect not just research but also the First Amendment, with other colleges and universities lining up behind it.
Trump and Xi test rival styles of strongman leadership in tariff warThe U.S.-China trade war could be decided by leaders’ differing styles. Mr. Trump acts on impulse, Mr. Xi prefers the pursuit of strategic goals.
Pakistani women stitch a new future for themselves while shattering barriersThe Behbud Association teaches women to sew and embroider so that they can lift themselves out of extreme poverty.- Why a $4 bicycle repair signals hope for Syria’s postwar economyAfter over a decade of civil war, and several months since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, small investments by Syrian families signal hope for the economy’s future.
On tariffs, Trump moves forward, and back. What does it herald for trade?President Trump’s on-and-off tariffs could hide a plan to make bilateral trade deficits key to U.S. trade policies.
RESILIENCE
The strength expressed by people and communities in recovering from difficulties. It involves victories – small or large – amid adversity.
- Ukraine shows off its reconstruction in Venice – with AI aidEven amid war, Ukrainians are rebuilding their homes. To architects, that reconstruction is a form of resistance against the Russian invasion, too.
US soldiers left Vietnam 50 years ago. How do these nations cooperate now?As America marks the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary, both nations continue to seek ways to partner beyond the legacy of a complicated conflict.
Why Europe doesn’t waste a crisisEach challenge, such as American tariffs or U.S. skimping on security, has tested the mettle of the continent in mending its tensions and living up to its values.
‘We must hold on.’ Ukrainians steel themselves amid Russian barrage.Last week’s deadly strikes on Kyiv show a shift in Russian strategy: to try to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses as U.S. materiel support ebbs.
The world looked away from Congo’s rape crisis. She did not.This year, a rebel army called M23 has captured large sections of eastern Congo, exposing women there to a familiar weapon of war: rape.
Massachusetts loves its small farms. Will that be enough to save them?To be a small farmer is to embrace uncertainty – even in a state like Massachusetts with lots of farmers markets and community support. But this year’s U.S. Agriculture Department cuts are imperiling a way of life even for the hardy.
RESPECT
An appreciation for others’ efforts or principles that promotes cooperation instead of anger or distrust. It does not excuse wrongdoing.
Montana puts ‘red’ and ‘blue’ values in housingIn the state with the least affordable homes, lawmakers and citizens of different ideologies unite on reforms to lower prices, setting a model for nonpartisan solutions.
Cannes debuts something different: Lower tolerance for sexual violenceA few years ago, the French film industry feted male actors and directors accused of sexual abuse by female peers. But now that seems to have changed.
Why Japan, South Korea inch closerWill their troops work together to save democracy in Asia? Perhaps. Meanwhile, an election in South Korea reveals a shift toward reconciliation.
Sovereignty for Colombia’s Indigenous peopleBy granting autonomy to Indigenous groups, the government promotes peace and protects the environment.
Where all tourists can be goodAs more cities rise up against an increasing number of “bad tourists,” places like Copenhagen find success in rewarding visitors for the ethical behavior they seek.
In tariff tiffs, the art of compromiseEurope’s calm and measured response to the Trump tariffs takes the long view and relies on patient deliberation.
RESPONSIBILITY
Fulfilling a duty to act from high motives, with due consideration for the care of oneself and others.
- Podcast: Why We Wrote This ‘Progress’ can be dirty business. Our climate writer looks into the trade-offs.
A lot of technology, including some that makes us “greener,” calls for practices like mining and carries upfront costs for the environment. Its regular use slurps resources. But it also makes us productive and provides essential support. A conversation about being intentional and staying open to perspectives.
With ‘Green Islam,’ climate action is a religious duty – and an act of communityCiting the Quran and emphasizing religious duty, Indonesia’s “Green Islam” movement teaches Muslims to be better stewards of the Earth.
In Syria’s terrorized Alawite region, competing narratives, mutual suspicionsSyria’s Alawite minority considers March 7 the start of a genocidal campaign. In the eyes of the Sunni majority, it marked operations to quash a coup. Ensuring justice and preventing further killings will be a key test for the new Syria.
In Yemen, activists seek to restore rubble-strewn sanctuary for migrating birdsFor centuries, Yemen’s coastal wetlands played host to each year to flocks of migrating birds. But civil war has left the ecosystem in dire straits.- Podcast: Why We Wrote This Trump and the law: A justice reporter talks about the busiest beat in news
Never in American history has an American president had his claims of executive powers so regularly tested by the courts. For a reporter, that means staying clear of loaded language, keeping the work clinical and fair, and remembering to breathe.
Europe’s moment for self-governanceAmerican pressure and the prospects for talks over Ukraine force the continent to rethink the link between its values and its security.
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.
An Alabama county fought for civil rights. Now it’s facing an environmental crisis.As water management problems arise – and in some cases go unaddressed – in places such as Alabama, Michigan, and Mississippi, our columnist wondered, Is there a link between civil rights protests of the past and the environmental injustices of the present?
As Israel blocks aid, Gaza’s mothers watch their children starveAfter more than two months of an Israeli blockade, the Gaza Strip is running out of food, and few are more vulnerable than its children.- ‘Bless that corner.’ A Chicago crossing guard marks 50 years.For half a century, Eugenia Phillips has been ushering schoolchildren to safety at intersections across the Windy City. That’s 50 years of Chicago winters. Fifty years of new student faces.
Along India’s Kashmir border with Pakistan, farmers fear new warIndia and Pakistan are at daggers drawn again, and among the families living close to the de facto border their tensions are fueling new fears of war.
Near war’s front lines, a Congolese village hesitantly rebuildsIn February, rebels conquered eastern Congo’s largest city, forcing displaced people sheltering there to return to homes in the middle of a war zone.
Rebels took eastern Congo’s largest city. Now they must run it.As it continues to take territory, the Congolese rebel group M23 wants to show it is more than just an army, and that it can also govern.
TRANSFORMATION
A change driven by an honest desire to improve, which gives fresh strength and purpose.
He used to rob people on Nairobi’s streets. Now he shows them to tourists.Dennis “Typhoon” Mboya gives tours of the Nairobi, Kenya, informal settlement where he grew up, and uses his own story to inspire other young people in his community.
‘Motivated and inspired’: California inmates are improving mental health behind barsFour years after two incarcerated men sought ways to help their peers face mental health issues, Los Angeles County is expanding their successful efforts.
From sand traps to salmon habitat, US golf courses become nature preservesFormer golf courses are growing wild again, increasing the amount of public green space in the U.S. In the process, they are teeing up solutions for long-standing environmental challenges.
Trump reignites South African debate over white farmers: Persecuted or privileged?The Trump administration promises to resettle South Africa’s white Afrikaner community as refugees in the U.S. Many in South Africa wonder why.
Facing internal and external foes, Syria rebuilds and rethinks its armySyria’s new leadership is trying to rebuild its army from the ruins of sectarianism and foreign intervention. The fledgling force has little of material value, but the need for a shift in mindset is most important.
Podcast: Why We Wrote This The Russian dream? Our writer profiles a new kind of North American expat.You’re a Canadian farmer looking for a better life. You’ve decided that moving to another country is the best way to get there. Is Russia your destination? Our Moscow-based writer, also Canadian, went out to the Russian countryside to find out why one family said yes.
TRUST
Hope and confidence in a relationship that has demonstrated mutual respect.
In Norway, more voices, better solutionsWith a rise of distrust in government, a national panel of everyday people shows how civil listening can find a consensus on values for decisions on difficult issues.
In US-Iran nuclear talks, a hesitant step out of a high-stakes impasseNuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran this weekend signal a joint readiness to push for diplomacy instead of war.
When government promises are broken, how is trust restored?What can history tell us about the social contract between the U.S. government and the American people? Our columnist interviews author Justene Hill Edwards about the Reconstruction-era Freedman’s Bank.
End of dollar dominance? Trump tariffs are decreasing trust in US currency.The turmoil around President Donald Trump’s tariffs caused investors to flee U.S. Treasury bonds – which didn’t happen even in recent economic crises.
With US on the outs, Europe looks to an old ally for defense: BritainAmid the Trump administration’s disruptive foreign policy, a post-Brexit United Kingdom and Europe are rebuilding bonds, particularly on defense.
A doctor in Panama’s jungle builds trust among Indigenous groupsCésar Gantes’ dedication to slowing HIV in his country’s poorest region has earned him national recognition.
