World news (also called international news) is a term used in the news media to refer to any news that concerns a topic from another country or region. This type of news typically comes from foreign correspondents or, more recently, from international news agencies such as Reuters, AP and AFP. In general, there is a clear distinction between world news and national news (news that concerns the policies of one’s own nation), although in practice there are many instances where this line is blurred, particularly with respect to events such as wars.

The world’s eyes turned to Ethiopia this weekend as a massive famine claimed hundreds of lives and drove millions into limbo. But there’s good news: Experts are saying the situation is improving.

During the 17th century, before the advent of newspaper publishing in Europe and America, most news was foreign, as registered by courants like the Daily Courant (England), the Nieuwe Tijudinger (Antwerp) and the Relation oder Zeitung (Wolfenbuttel). The first news agencies, such as Reuters, AFP and Avisa Relation oder Zeitung (Amsterdam), were established at this time to bring this foreign news to a larger audience.

When reporters working abroad have no permanent labor contract with any particular news source, they are sometimes referred to as stringers, and they may produce articles for several different sources simultaneously. The bulk of major news agency services consists of foreign news, and these articles are delivered in bulk electronically, originally by telegraphy but nowadays through the Internet.