World News Digest

Interested in knowing an outstanding source for both domestic and international news events? Try World News Digest [Facts on File]. Not only is this database current and updated weekly with hyperlinks, it also provides access to nearly seven decades of news from Facts on File World News Digest. Coverage includes major political, social and economic events since November 1940.

Extremely user friendly: you can use the search box, perform an advanced search, or click on one of the Topics, Decades, Countries, or Facts and Statistics tabs. A broad span of over 70 topics can be found under the Topics tab including such topics as the budget deficit, drugs and sports, and Islamic fundamentalism. The Decades tab covers top news stories for the particular selected decade. Each decade is then broken down by year. Within the year you can sort either by newest to oldest, oldest to newest, or by a year range to retrieve particular news events.

The Countries tab covers news events for countries all over the world. You can retrieve news stories by region and then select a particular country. Additional features include links to country profiles, key historic events, historic documents, research features and special reports, editorial cartoons, and newspaper editorials.

The Facts and Statistics tab has an abundance of useful and factual information that can assist in answering common to more in-depth questions. The span is too large to cover in this article but I suggest clicking on just one topic heading and you will quickly become engrossed.

At the bottom of the main page you will be find great links for Heads of State and Government, Obituaries (as well as a link for the current year’s obituaries) and Maps and Flags of the World. As with many of SLCL’s databases, you can print, email and save articles in World News Digest. Last, but not least, another exciting feature within the database is the ability to have the news story that you have retrieved be translated into a foreign language. Not only is the database a source of great information but a source for practicing your reading of a foreign language! Once you retrieve your news page, scroll down to the bottom of the page. On the left, open the language box, select your language, and have your page translated.

Truly a great research tool and database for accurate and concise coverage. If you have questions about the World News Digest database or any of SLCL’s electronic resources, please contact the Reference department at extension 2050.

--Christel M., Reference