News is information about current events or developments, often aimed at a general audience. It can be found in print, online and on television. There are many different sources of news, and some are more reliable than others. Some tips on choosing a good source of news include looking at the author’s (or organization’s) “about” page to get an idea of their values and level of objectivity. In addition, using online news aggregation services can help you find several different takes on the same event, eliminating some of the potential for bias.

Usually, news is reported objectively and in a timely fashion, though not always. Historically, people used oral means to convey news, such as through town criers or by word of mouth. However, technological advances have enabled news to be transported more quickly and spread widely. Today, news is mostly published in newspapers, magazines and on the internet.

The subjects of news stories are varied, but many of them focus on people and their activities. These can be personal, such as a person’s wedding or divorce; political or business-related, such as a company’s merger or bankruptcy; or socially important, such as a natural disaster or war.

Crime can also be a big part of news, whether it is traffic accidents, burglaries or rapes. More serious crimes and those with unusual or sensational aspects are more likely to make the headlines. Financial stories are also common, such as fortunes made and lost, budget announcements or interest rate changes. Money matters can be especially interesting, as can the amount of a donation made to a charity; for example, if a millionaire gives only $10, this is more likely to make the news than if they gave $100.

Listicles are a popular way to present news, featuring a list of items or points related to a specific topic. This form of news often contains more information than simple straight reporting, and may involve a great deal of research. In-depth news features are similar to hard news, but take a smaller subject and explore it in greater depth.

Some researchers have suggested that the selection of what is deemed newsworthy is not just dependent on what is happening in society, but on what the media thinks the audience wants to read about. They argue that this is a form of marketing, and that the media use market research to determine what their audiences want to hear about.

As a result, the media may have more influence than they claim over what really happens in the world. This has been a significant issue in countries with repressive regimes, where the ability to access and distribute the news is restricted. However, with the proliferation of social media and mobile communication devices, it is becoming harder to restrict the flow of information, even in repressive environments. Despite this, there is still a need for more research into what makes newsworthy, and how the news agenda can be influenced by technological developments.

Automobiles are powered by engines that use gasoline, diesel or another fuel. They are designed to allow people to travel long distances in comfort and convenience. Cars have changed the world in many ways and are considered one of the most important inventions in history. They have paved the way for modern technology, brought more opportunities to the masses and opened up new areas of the world that were previously inaccessible. They also opened up the possibility for leisure activities, which in turn created new services like hotels, motels and amusement parks.

The first automobiles were steam or electric-powered, but it wasn’t until Karl Benz invented the gas-powered car in 1885 that they really started to evolve into what we know as cars today. At that time, these vehicles weren’t as safe or as reliable as they are now. The first cars didn’t even have things that we take for granted, such as a windshield, rearview mirrors or turn signals. The most significant milestone in the evolution of the automobile was Henry Ford’s 1908 Model T, which was a mass-produced car that could be driven on any road at any speed.

After that, automobile manufacturing was able to develop rapidly. This was due to advances in production techniques that allowed manufacturers to produce a large number of cars quickly and at a relatively low cost. This was made possible by the use of the assembly line, which became a crucial innovation in industry and everyday life. The automobile also opened up new jobs and industries such as the petroleum and gasoline industry, rubber and later plastics and services such as gas stations and convenience stores.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the automobile began to suffer from problems such as safety issues, pollution and draining of the world’s oil supplies. This led to government regulations and the introduction of new technologies such as seatbelts, highway rules and driver’s licenses. It also ended the era of the annually restyled, gas-guzzling ‘road cruiser’ and opened up the American market to foreign competitors like the German Volkswagen “Bug” and Japanese fuel-efficient, functionally designed, well-built small cars.

The automobile continues to be an integral part of our lives. It opens up more work possibilities and social opportunities, provides better access to services like hospitals and supermarkets and allows us to explore a much larger area of the world. However, as society evolves and other technologies become more advanced, the automobile may begin to lose its role as a progressive force for change. In the future, we may see more hybrid, electrical and autonomous cars as the world shifts away from traditional internal combustion engines. These examples are selected automatically from various online sources and may not reflect the views of Merriam-Webster or its editors.