World news (also called international news or foreign coverage) is the specialized branch of journalism that deals with news events occurring outside a nation’s borders. This type of news may be gathered through local sources, or from a worldwide network of reporters. It is also often presented with a global perspective, and can include topics such as global economics, politics, culture and current affairs. A separate genre is international political news, which covers events in a nation’s capital, such as presidential elections and cabinet appointments.
A major feature of this branch of journalism is the use of a wire service, which transmits hard news stories and features from overseas through a system of telephone connections or modern communications technology such as the Internet. These articles are distributed to newspaper, radio and television outlets for publication and broadcast, and often to intelligence agencies as well. The bulk of the content produced by a major news agency is usually world news.
When a journalist is involved in the gathering of world news, they must be prepared for anything, from wars to natural disasters. This is often a very dangerous and challenging task, as journalists must not only report on the happenings of other countries but be able to interpret what they see.
World news shows are typically anchored by a team of correspondents who travel around the world and report on the latest global developments. They may also be accompanied by a team of technical experts who assist in reporting on complex events and issues. Some world news programs are dedicated to a single topic, such as global poverty or global conflict.