News is information about events or happenings which are important enough to be reported in newspapers, radio, TV or on the internet. It can also be conveyed in speeches, conversations and social gatherings. News often includes reports of crimes and other ill-deeds, such as fires and floods. It can also report on war, government, politics, education, health and the economy, as well as sports, fashion and celebrities.

A good news article starts with a headline that grabs readers’ attention and relates to the main point of the story. It is then followed by a “nut graph” which explains the main points of the news and why it matters now. A good nut graph answers the questions who, what, when, where and why. It also places the new developments in context, describing how they fit into a bigger picture.

The nut graph should also be clearly sourced and include a summary of the key details which will help readers decide how much more information they need. Readers can then move on to the body of the news, where they will find more detail about the subject and possibly a writer’s opinion. If the news article does not express an opinion, it should sign off with a brief statement reiterating the lead or indicating future developments in the story.

All news sources have biases, conscious and unconscious, which can influence what they cover, how it is covered and the angle taken. It is important to consider these biases when consuming news, but also to be open-minded and seek out different perspectives. For example, if you are a political junkie, try tuning into a more conservative news outlet, or vice versa.