World news is a subfield of journalism covering news stories that are international in scope. This can include foreign military activity, politics, economics, or weather events. World news is often reported by journalists based outside of the United States or the country in question, but may also be reported by a national or regional newspaper with correspondents overseas. In addition, a number of specialized news agencies exist for the purpose of gathering and disseminating international news for publication in other countries.
Often, the subject of world news is the result of human or natural disasters that affect large numbers of people. Another common topic is newly discovered religious or historical relics, such as the Ark of the Covenant, additional commandments from God, and sandals worn by Jesus. Other stories involve supernatural occurrences, such as alien abductions and reports that demons have been released from Hell via earthquakes or the drilling of oil wells. Cryptids, half-animal half-human creatures such as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster, are popular subjects for WWN, along with fictional characters like the merman, frog babies, kangaroo women, and the famous Bat Boy.
A more serious form of world news is that gathered by journalists for newspapers, magazines, and radio and television broadcasters. Journalists who specialize in foreign reporting, known as foreign correspondents, generally have a contract with a news source, and are paid for their work on a regular basis. They can be full-time or freelance. A news agency, or wire service, prepares hard and soft news articles in bulk and distributes them to news outlets on a subscription basis. These include newspapers, magazine and television news programs, and sometimes, governments and intelligence agencies.