World news is the term used in the news media to describe news that is not local or regional, but rather global in scope. It is also commonly referred to as international news. The term was first used in the 17th century when European newspapers began to use it to differentiate foreign news from domestic news. The news is usually sent to the news editor by a correspondent (an individual with a permanent contract with a news organization, usually a newspaper or television channel) who lives and works in another country or region of the world, often an embassy official. Correspondents are typically paid more than their local counterparts because they have a professional commitment to stay in touch with the events in their area of coverage.
Many recognizable names in the news business have served as anchors for the show, including original anchors Aaron Brown and Lisa McRee, and current Good Morning America First Look anchors Rhiannon Ally and Andrew Dymburt. Occasionally, a celebrity will appear for an interview segment.
In the past, a regular feature of the show was Morning Papers, wherein an anchor would read off several off-beat or humorous stories pulled from a variety of newspapers around the globe, before replacing it with a modern version featuring online stories. Other features included the “Insomniac Theater” where a WNN staff member gave a movie review, and “Insomniac Kitchen” where a guest chef was brought into the studio to demonstrate a quick-and-easy recipe that viewers could make at home. On Fridays, the program would close with a version of the “World News Polka,” sung by one of the show’s composers, comedian Barry Mitchell.