World news, international news or foreign coverage is the news media jargon for news about a global subject. This is distinct from local or national news which deals with events within a country’s borders, but can also include topics of international interest such as war and diplomacy.
A reporter based abroad, full-time or part-time, is known as a foreign correspondent. These reporters are often assigned to cover an entire region, nation or continent and regularly file stories to their news editor in the office. They gather information through interviews with local government officials, community members and the media, and through events they personally witness.
Large organizations send hard and soft news articles in bulk through wire services (originally telegraphy; today, the Internet) to various news outlets such as newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations. They may also provide the material to individuals, analysts and intelligence agencies.
In some countries, such as the United States, the distinction between world and national news is blurred when it comes to events such as wars or summits of multilateral organizations that involve the country. However, most journalists and editors distinguish between the two categories when covering topics of international importance, such as wars in which the country is involved or issues such as human rights that are of universal concern.