World news is journalism about events happening outside the borders of a country. It’s an old genre, dating back to the courants of 17th-century Europe, but it became more focused when telecommunications allowed news to be disseminated worldwide quickly. World news is usually reported by foreign correspondents (full-time reporters stationed abroad), but it can also be covered by specialized envoys, like a reporter sent to Paris for coverage of a summit or to Berlin to cover political developments.

World News Now features serious stories about politics, economics, and human interest. It has also featured offbeat and whimsical features, such as a weekly segment called “Smiley Faces” (which airs on Wednesdays), where the show’s staff members pose for photos in their hometowns, and an ad-libbed song of the day titled “World News Polka” (usually played by comedian Barry Mitchell on accordion) that plays while the show’s production credits scroll.

Educators and students use World News Now for its wealth of resources, including historical footage, archival audio clips from speeches and interviews, and background and overviews to jump-start research projects. The site also offers teaching tools, such as tips on assessing student speeches, exploring point of view, and avoiding plagiarism.

The World News Now website also includes a video gallery, an interactive map, and a live chat room. It is a part of the WORLD news group, founded in 1981 by Joel Belz and Marvin Olasky to provide sound journalism rooted in Biblical truth.