World news is the general term used in the news media for news about events taking place in other countries and on a global scale. This branch of journalism is sometimes referred to as international news or foreign coverage, and it usually includes the reporting of war, although some wars may be categorized as “national” for the media of belligerent countries.
The bulk of world news is prepared by news agencies, which are organizations that prepare hard news stories and features for use by other newspapers, radio and television stations and occasionally by magazines. Such articles are distributed in bulk electronically (originally by telegraphy; today it is often via the Internet). When reporters working abroad do not have permanent contracts with particular news sources, they are referred to as stringers and may work for several different news outlets at once.